Greek Tourism Sector Opposes Gov’t Pension Plan

Photo © Maria Theofanopoulou

The Greek tourism sector has joined a growing number of professionals across the country’s productive forces, including lawyers and farmers, expressing their opposition over the government’s plans to proceed with further pension cuts and increase social security contributions by next month.

The General Panhellenic Federation of Tourism Enterprises (GEPOET), representing tourist agencies and operators as well as tourist coach companies across Greece, said they were against the draft labour law, adding that it is aimed directly against any remaining enterprise in the country, and an additional burden on tourism enterprises.

“We urge the government to withdraw the draft labor law and instead proceed with exhaustive talks with stakeholders as well as with improvements in view of the fact that Greek tourism enterprises are unable to meet the imminent burden of contributions and taxes,” GEPOET said in a statement, claiming that additional pension contributions and income tax will be passed on to employers, who are already trying to make ends meet in an “aggravated and unsafe business environment”.

The government says it is being pressured by its creditors as part of the three-year bailout program requirements to proceed with the proposed pension reforms by March. The parliament vote on the draft law is expected to create controversy.

In the meantime, the Greek worker’s confederation as well as other trade bodies will be holding a strike on Thursday, February 4, in protest to the proposed reforms.