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Developmental measures to offset unemployment benefits with job
subsidies
The two-month period September - October 2010 was very productive, both
in terms of meetings between the FING’s Administration and the political
leadership, and in terms of government initiatives, which were a result
of the parliamentary reshuffle in early September.
More specifically, during the FING ‘s Administration meeting with the
Minister for Regional Development and Competitiveness, Mr M.
Chrisochoidis, we requested that specific developmental measures must
finally be taken, as they will reverse the downward trend Greek
manufacturing has been experiencing the last few years and they will
re-establish manufacturing as high priority of government policy.
Moreover, these measure will remove certain barriers that threaten the
smooth functioning of businesses and their competitiveness. At present
these problems, that we all are aware of, once removed or restricted,
will enable us to see a remarkable difference in the way our businesses
operate. As the administration of the Federation, we focus on these
problems everyday in an effort to resolve them.
The draft budget that was announced in early October provides no
potential for growth in the country, particularly at the regional level.
I would like to categorically state FING’s full opposition to any new
taxes that may be imposed on enterprises and citizens. Imposing any new
direct and indirect tax will further diminish the purchase power of
Greek citizens and will, in turn, cause domestic consumption to decline
further. Of course, fiscal adjustment is the correct policy for the
government to follow; but the necessary fiscal revenues should be sought
in the country’s growth, in restrictions to state spending, and in
countering tax evasion and the black economy, rather than in taxation
that leads to further depression of the economy. In addition, provision
should also be made for low-income workers, who will be the hardest hit
by indirect taxation.
Furthermore, because we believe that preserving jobs during the
difficult period we are experiencing is a matter of vital importance, in
the meeting we held with the new Minister for Labour and Social
Security, Mrs L. Katseli, we requested that unemployment benefits be
offset with job subsidies in order to ensure the income and working
conditions for all employees of businesses in Northern Greece.
Indeed, if such a measure is combined with an effective attempt of
countering social contributions’ evasion and undeclared work (which
constitute the greatest problems for the country’s social security
system) by streamlining operations and reducing the operating costs of
the social security organisations, and by simplifying and reducing the
bureaucratic procedures companies are subjected to when managing their
social security obligations, then we are sure that we will preserve
existing jobs and provide prospects for growth for our companies and the
country.
In any case, I would like to stress that the members of our Federation
have never contested, nor do they now contest the industrial relations
framework, but rather they understand that the route involving
communication with their employees is the one that will get us out of
the dead-end we have reached as a result of the economic crisis.
Last, but not least, I have left the predominant problem of the business
world: reduced liquidity. VAT refunds and the pending pay-offs relating
to completed and audited investments that have been included in the
development law must be effected immediately, since it is through these
actions that businesses will solve the key issues of liquidity. It is
not possible for the problem to continue.
Nevertheless, the Federation has succeeded in maintaining constant
contact with the Deputy Minister of Regional Development, Mr Socrates
Xinidis, who is in charge of the matter, with a view to speeding up the
procedures for payment for investments and VAT refunds for our members.
Finally, we must all realise that the only way to preserve existing jobs
and expand the productive basis of the Greek regions is through a
stable, secure and, above all, developmental environment.
Previous President's Messages
A New Year showcasing GREEK VALUE
A new year, with changes in the state and society
Change of Prime Minister accompanied by new expectations about a way out of the financial crisis
Zero profits for processing industries in Northern Greece in 2010, with one in three businesses reporting losses
Only daring decisions will take the country out of this impasse
The Federation’s Proposals for development
The need to take measures to immediately bolster the economy and improve business competitiveness
A new year – new expectations for growth and development
Developmental measures to offset unemployment benefits with job subsidies
Enhancing "Greek Value" by resolving problems that drag on
Greece’s rise in the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook ranking is encouraging news amidst the crisis
The Federation of Industries of Northern Greece making a decisive contribution to manufacturing strategy up to 2020
The government's immediate priorities in 2010 to develop the infrastructure in Thessaloniki and boost the competitiveness of manufacturing enterprises
Expectations from the new government: the manufacturing sector should be the new government’s focus
Industry should be among the Government’s policy priorities
Industry centre stage again
Proposals for avoiding the financial crisis
Bold decision-making for avoiding the financial crisis
Prospects for growth in Northern Greece in an environment of international crisis
Investment Law and Northern Greece
The market of izmir: the next goal for outward-looking enterprises of
northern greece
The
new government’s aspirations for thessaloniki and northern greece:
fing’s proposals for development
Thessaloniki and Northern Greece in International Markets
Regional
development policy as an engine for local industrial development
Global
orientation, productivity and realistic management of the National
Strategic Development Plan (NSDP). The challenges for 2007
Investment Law and Northern Greece
The new
legislative framework for research and technology in Greece: a
government nod of approval for the proposals made by the Federation of
Industries of Northern Greece (FING)
Thessaloniki has the potential to become the second pole of development
for Greece and the headquarters for development organizations nationwide
Changing
attitudes to combat unemployment – Proposals for creating closer links
between education and production
Support
for the Regions: From now on, policy actions and not just policy
announcements
The
business community – a force for social cohesion in Northern Greece
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