An immediate, six-month pilot realization of the Least Guaranteed Income was announced today throughout 13 Greek municipalities. The implementation of the “Minimum Guaranteed Income” (MGI) measure is a crucial social reform, Labour Minister Yiannis Vroutsis said on Tuesday during an MGI presentation attended by Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and Government Vice-President Evangelos Venizelos. The crisis has highlighted the distortions, gaps and contradictions of the social protection system in Greece, Vroutsis noted, adding that the system was inefficient and both socially and economically incompatible. The MGI provides an answer to all these concerns, he added. The implementation of the measure will start on a pilot basis in 13 municipalities across the country. It will protect 7 percent of the population, or 700,000 Greeks. “Today is a special moment because the greatest social reform in the country that is changing what we have known about the social state is presented. It is an innovative measure that is the pillar of the social solidarity of tomorrow,” Vroutsis underlined. For his part, Samaras stressed that “today we are launching in Greece a tool of social policy for the protection of the weakest, for the fight against poverty and the reintegration of those who risk being left out.” The MFI was made possible, Samaras said, “with the surpluses of the country and the fact that Greece can cover its social needs on its own.” He also noted that the government is now tackling measures which were unthinkable just years ago, when they ought to have been implemented. Reforms make the country more efficient and fairer, he stressed. “Social justice promotes development and consolidates democracy in our country.” In his speech, Venizelos claimed that Greece is turning the page and reorganizing itself for the post-memorandum era. The “Minimum Guaranteed Income” will soon produce results, he said, adding: “But this is the minimum, it is not enough. Our policies for the ‘help at home’ programme, for the homeless and the unemployed lay the foundations so that the “Minimum Guaranteed Income” brings results. The change in the employment level affects the sustainability of the pension system. The development will be geometric as long as we are united and determined to turn a page.” The financial credential of candidates seeking inclusion in the program will be their real time actual income, without criteria bases or objective living expenditure. The real annual income of those aided must be lower than a predetermined monthly income threshold. This would be 200 euros for an individual, 300 for a couple, and 50 euros for every additional minor. For single parent families, the first minor is considered an adult for the purposes of this package. Exceptions In order to calculate income, all income from whatever source is added up, with the following exceptions: 20% of income from remunerated services, income from personal receipt blocks, and income from continued education sources. Money from social security support, solidarity, etc. Stipends for disability, food support for disabled persons, and child support following adjudicated custody cases.
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