The Economic Chamber of Greece submits to the public debate a complete package of proposals, which aims to absorb, as much as possible, the vibrations from the price increases in products and services.
Given that prices are rising internationally, mainly due to the problems created by the pandemic in the supply chain, but also due to increased demand, the increases in the consumer basket do not seem to be as temporary as expected. That is why a common approach is needed at European level.
A European policy toolkit is needed to coordinate national reactions to the immediate response to dramatic price increases. Especially today, where European economies have begun and are recovering dramatically, the European Union must show solidarity and unity in the face of the new wave of price increases.
The proposals of the Economic Chamber of Greece aim at the smooth operation of the Greek economy and are the following:
• Increase of the electricity subsidy per megawatt hour in the wholesale trade, with a budget cost of over 500 million euros.
• Increase of the heating allowance for the next six months and expansion of the beneficiaries through the income criteria. Cost 250 million euros.
• Submission of Proposals and subsidization of new projects aimed at storing energy and in particular Natural Gas. The storage of Natural Gas can be a multi-tool for the Greek economy.
• Reduction by 50% for the next half of the excise tax on fuel and coffee and its re-evaluation at the end of the period.
• Immediate reduction of VAT from 24% to 20% and for all products that are already at 13% to reach 6%.
• Immediate activation of a new cycle “save”, with the aim of upgrading the energy of households and expanding the program to SMEs.
• Immediate abolition of the service fee, in an effort to boost the income of self-employed professionals.
• Extension of the Bridge 1 and Bridge 2 programs for the first half of 2022.
• Creation of a program corresponding to the coverage of fixed costs, with the aim of repaying the energy tariffs of small and medium enterprises that will be faced with price increases.
• Abolition of the solidarity contribution.
• Further reduction of insurance contributions by 2%.
• Further increase of the minimum wage (beyond the legislated increase of 2%, from 1/1/2022), in the context of the favorable prospects of economic growth of the country, with the aim of supporting our most vulnerable fellow citizens.
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