Greece Tables 14-point Growth Plan for Consultation

The Hellenic Parliament. Photo Source: @PressParliament / © Aliki Eleftheriou

The Greek government tabled a 14-point interim growth plan for public consultation on Monday, which includes among others the recommendations for the overhaul of the country’s pension system.

Prepared by a committee headed by Nobel Prize-winning economist Christopher Pissarides, the 122-page report – its final plan to be published in September – formulates actions that will boost incomes through improved productivity, extensive labor options and more investments as well as increase export activity and extroversion.

The final proposal, to include recommendations and funding options for innovation in tourism, infrastructure and transport, agri-food, manufacturing, and the efficient use of public property will be tabled in parliament and later sent for approval to Brussels.

Syntagma Square, Athens center. Photo © Maria Theofanopoulou

Besides the pension system reform, the independent committee’s 14-point plan suggests reducing insurance contributions, doing away with a solidarity levy, and reducing insurable income.

The committee also focuses its recommendations on incentives for private spending on energy upgrades to residential and commercial properties; measures that will enhance investor protection; the introduction of specialized judicial departments for ‘fast-track’ cases and rulings; strengthening public administration; facilitating research at universities; and encouraging social responsibility actions and measures that will ensure gender equality in the work force as well as discrimination-free access to labor.