The reaction of the business world was caused by the statements of the former Minister of Labour, Social Security and Social Solidarity G. Katrougalou on the restoration of the 20% insurance contribution to the income of self-employed professionals.

Its president EBEASofia Kounenaki Efraimoglou, notes that: “The statements of the former Minister of Labour, Social Security and Social Solidarity, Mr. G. Katrougalos – a few 24 hours before the elections – regarding the restoration of the 20% insurance contribution to the income of self-employed professionals, rightly cause concern in total market.

This particular choice in the past led to the extermination of thousands of freelancers, who were unable to pay the exorbitant contributions, but also to an increase in the “black” economy.

As EBEA we are against it. The position of the business world is clear: any return to logics of over-taxation and targeting of small and medium-sized enterprises and freelancers will have disastrous effects on the economy and employment.

On this critical issue, we ask all parties to position themselves clearly and commit to their intentions.”

G. Stasinos: Never again confiscation of income through insurance contributions

Its president Technical Chamber of Greece Giorgos Stasinos, cheating on a related question, said: “Suddenly, three days before the elections, Mr. Katrougalos raises the issue of restoring the 20% insurance contribution to our income!

I must remind him that all the scientists, freelancers, self-employed people of the country fought hard for years to abolish this tax.

We do not forget what we went through with the Katrougalos law, no matter how many years pass.

Let no one be mistaken: all engineers, all scientists freelancers, we will never accept it coming back.

Tying social security contributions to our income proved disastrous the first time. We will not let there be a second one. We will not allow our income, our labor and the product of our work to be confiscated again.

We don’t usually intervene before the elections, but this issue is a “red line” for all freelancers in the country.

We require clear conversations, hard words:

I am asking all parties to pledge, now, before the elections, without asterisks, that they will not impose such types and such levels of insurance contributions on self-employed professionals.”

YOU: Not increases, but reliefs

On his part and Commercial Association of Athens it says in a statement that it “follows with increasing concern the rumors of the last few days about an increase in the contributions of the self-employed and traders and the restoration of the 20% rate on insurance deductions”.

The association underlines that the small and medium enterprises that toil and fight day by day to survive, not only cannot bear any more burdens on their backs but demand that the many they carry every day be lightened.

“The Athens Chamber of Commerce, in its successive meetings with parliamentarians of the A’ Athens and party representatives, delivered a series of proposals for the orderly operation of the market and the further relief of the largely unbearable burdens borne by small and medium-sized businesses, so that the political authorities be placed accordingly.

The 10 key positions of the ESA have been posted on our website for the information of our members and the entire commercial world” concludes the announcement.