Greece’s leftist government is to announce its first measures to help those on or below the poverty line. They are to be approved by parliament in
ADVERTISEMENTGreece’s leftist government is to announce its first measures to help those on or below the poverty line. They are to be approved by parliament in the coming days.
Rent support, free electricity, food stamps and free access to public transport are just some of the proposals which will cost around 200 million euros.
The draft bill comes after Greece reached a hard-fought deal with European leaders on a four-month extension of its debt bailout.
Funding for these plans has apparently been found through various European programmes.
Priority is to be given to families with small children and the unemployed
Those who will be made priorities will be children, the unemployed and the poor.
According to government figures for 2013, a total of 35.7 percent of Greece’s population are at risk of poverty and social exclusion.
However while Greece is due to receive 7.2 billion euros in remaining EU/IMF bailout funds, it still has to implement a programme of reforms.
Other countries that have had to do the same such as Ireland, Portugal and Spain have all joined together in arguing that Greece should not get preferential treatment.