The General Confederation of Professional Craftsmen and Merchants of Greece requests that the recording of damages be accelerated so that, where possible, aid payments can be recorded and aid payments can be started to restart life in Thessaly.

At the same time, it is necessary, as he notes in a statement, to take all the necessary measures to relieve the affected businesses and households in order to restore economic and social normality in the region as soon as possible, and above all without further losses.

In this context, GSEBEE estimates that the following interventions should be immediately promoted that will mitigate the negative effects and form a modern institutional framework for political and environmental protection mechanisms:

1. RESTORATION OF BUSINESS DAMAGES

– Full compensation of businesses directly affected by the disaster it has

is accomplished.

– Compensation for damaged products based on current prices.

– Extraordinary one-off aid of 20,000 Euros to the affected businesses.

2. INSURANCE – TAX BENEFITS

– For those professionals who have proven to have suffered losses, to be given the possibility of exemption (not suspension) from paying contributions to the EFKA for one year, with possibilities

purchase of the relevant insurance period at a later time. Full coverage of health insurance for one year from the State.

– Exemption from the payment of the business tax for all entrepreneurs in the area. Exemption from payment of reimbursable fees for one year.

– Exemption from paying the tax obligations of the affected companies for one year.

– Exemption from payment of current tax, insurance and other obligations and fees.

– For those who have been subject to debt arrangements (insurance, tax, OTA) freeze the payment of installments and transfer them after 1 year.

3. LOAN OBLIGATIONS – FINANCING

– Suspension of payment of installments for loan obligations of businesses and households. After the assessment of losses, proportional impairment of debts. At the same time, the provision of facilities with low-interest loans for those who wish to reinvest in the business (reconstruction, purchase of products, relocation of coke) should be considered.

– Suspension of advertising in Teiresias for businesses that have overdue loans.

– Special arrangement – extension for overdue cheques.

4. SOCIAL PROTECTION – SOCIAL COHESION

– Extension of the social tariff to businesses and households in the affected area for a period of one year.

– Freeing up resources to repair the damage.

– Special regime of access to social services and benefits for affected families (nursery centers, help at home, medical care). In any case, those affected should be granted an extension of the submission of declarations to the State and Insurance Funds.

These measures, as emphasized, should also include businesses that have not suffered damage from the natural disaster and are based in the affected areas, with a 6-month suspension of obligations to the State, Banks, Insurance Organizations and OTAs.

GSEVEE considers it necessary to prioritize the infrastructure projects for the immediate and thorough treatment of problems in the Thessaly region after the catastrophic floods which will strengthen the return of the region to a development path with multiple benefits for the businesses and residents of the affected region while whatever aid is given, the government should not duplicate the bureaucracy and delays still experienced by businesses in the region that suffered damage from previous disasters in previous years.