The Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Security, Kostas Karagkounis, spoke extensively about the package for insured persons, pensioners, entrepreneurs and middle class that is on the horizon ahead of the Thessaloniki International Fair. “We are providing over 250 million euros at the end of the year, precisely to cover this great injustice of personal difference, which we inherited from the previous government and we are giving emergency aid mainly to low-pensioners,” he said characteristically on ERT.
According to him “the scope of measures will be based on 1.5 billion euros and we have explained where this money will come from”.
“Mainly from combating tax evasion and the effort in this direction is enormous. We have drawn over 700 million euros, which will be directed to strengthen mainly the middle class. But our logic is to give more to as many citizens as possible. It will not be a guild-like commitment and implementation by the Prime Minister, but measures with a developmental sign. From the good execution of the budget, with tourism revenues going quite well and certainly from the escape clause we have in defense spending,” he added.
What he said about insurance contributions
Regarding the reduction in insurance contributions, Kostas Karagkounis emphasized that it is important for businesses and so they can give higher wages and added that there will also be a further increase in the minimum wage.
“The reduction of insurance contributions has a huge cost for the budget, but we will continue to do it. The goal is to reach a 5.9% reduction, without in any case disturbing fiscal stability, which for us is a priority,” he emphasized.
Regarding pensions, Kostas Karagkounis said that from the 2.4% they locked in last year, “we will see this year too how much the new percentage will be”.
