There is nothing about cuts in widow pensions” Ms. Kerameos said on the “Connections” show, thereby denyingpublications.
The proposal by PASOK for a 4-day working commented to ERTnews Labor and Social Security Minister Niki Kerameos, saying that “the politics of populism is one thing and the politics of realism is another”. At the same time, she denied scenarios of cuts in widow’s pensions, while also focusing on the wage gap between men and women, stressing that it is going to be addressed. “A man and a woman with the same qualifications and in the same position cannot be paid differently,” he noted, while making special reference to the professional funds that “are the ministry’s next legislative initiative” aimed at helping workers.
Talking to “Connections”and journalists Kosta Papachlimintzo and Katerina Doukas, the minister said that “the policy of populism is to say horizontally that you work four days instead of five and you get the same money, without explaining how the difference will be covered.”
She argued that there is already an institutional framework that gives flexibility to the labour market: “It is possible today, through collective agreements employment, to agree four-day working hours. It can be implemented wherever employees and employers choose to do so.” At the same time, he questioned the generalised application of such proposals, noting that “in policy, especially in areas affecting millions of workers, great care and documentation is needed. I have not seen any evidence to support these proposals.”
While referring to “cubisms” of the opposition, the Labour Minister insisted that with a collective agreement you can currently agree to work a 4-day job. “What he said is unworkable,” she commented on Nikos Androulakis, claiming, while she was quick to state that “not a single social partner agrees with the 4-day work. “When we gave the possibility of a four-day work, PASOK voted no,” adding that “we all want to be pleasant, but the question is who brings results.”
We are passing a bill for equal pay for men and women at work
Ms Kerameos also placed special emphasis on the new bill for equal pay at work: “There is a wage gap – about 13% in Greece. This is what we are coming to address.” As she explained: “A man and a woman with the same qualifications and in the same position cannot be paid differently,” adding, among other things, that “if there is a suspected pay gap, the employee will have the right to ask for evidence.”
We have 2.7 million more declared overtime hours in 2025
Speaking about the digital job card, he said: “Anything can be done if you want it.” At the same time, she told ERTnews, “we had 2.7 million more declared overtime hours last year,” stressing that the measure is being extended to new industries.
In response to a question about the status of working pensioners, Niki Kerameos explained that there has already been a significant change in their favour, stressing: “Now you are a pensioner, you get your pension in full and you can work in parallel, paying a percentage of your earnings to EFKA.” He recalled that in the past there were stricter restrictions: “Previously, when you were retired and working, you had up to 60% withheld from your pension. This was reduced and eventually abolished.”
Reflecting on the increments to which working pensioners are entitled, she noted: “There were increments provided for, but technical adjustments had to be made to make the system work.” As the Labour Minister explained, these will be reflected gradually, “The time worked in this scheme is calculated and will see it incorporated into the pension gradually.”
“There is nothing about cuts in widow’s pensions”
Commenting on reports about possible reductions in widow’s pensions, Niki Kerameos categorically denied the scenarios about cuts, stating unequivocally that “there is nothing about cuts in widow’s pensions.”
At the same time, she said that the ministry’s immediate legislative priorities are different: “The next two bills that we have concern equal pay for equal work and professional insurance funds.”
As for professional funds, Niki Kerameos pointed out that they are a key next legislative initiative of the ministry, aimed at strengthening workers. “The second bill concerns the professional insurance funds, i.e. the possibility we are giving for additional benefits to employees.” Speaking about a supplementary benefits system, she said, “We are going to incentivise additional benefits for workers through pension packages that companies and employee associations can offer, on more favourable terms.”
Rebrain Greece travels to London on May 9
Finally, referring to initiatives for the return of Greeks abroad, she said: “The day after tomorrow we will be in London for another new action of the Ministry of Labour through Rebrain Greece, following similar ones in Amsterdam, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart and New York.” The aim, according to her, is to connect Greek companies with workers abroad, recalling that according to the data we have a 64% turnaround . “We are going to London together with 35 of the country’s largest business groups, which are looking for qualified personnel,” she said. “Getting our children back is a national mission,” he said, concluding that “in the last two years we have had a positive balance of returns, with more returning than leaving.”
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