The minimum wage in Greece will be raised by 2%, Prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced at the cabinet, on Monday 26. The move is characterized “symbolic” as “it does cover the needs of the employees” the PM admitted. In Greece, the minimum wage is regulated by law and not through collective bargaining. As of February [...]
Strong language over Cyprus but what next? by Antonis D. Papagiannidis Both Greece and (more importantly) the Republic of Cyprus were quite pleased by the wording and the leaked background of the U.N. Security Council condemnation of last week’s Turkish/Turkish-Cypriot announcement that part of the fenced-in Varosha suburb of Famagusta would be open for potential [...]
In recent years, the carbon footprint in the atmosphere is rapidly increasing, with the current carbon concentration to exceed 420 ppm. Global efforts are currently focusing on the exemption from carbon emissions to achieve the EU 2050 target for zero emissions. The exploitation of hydrogen can be a viable option for carbon discharge in various [...]
The “big announcement” and “good news” of President Erdogan in Cyprus: cause for increased concern by Antonis D. Papagiannidis Will the presence of Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Cyprus on 19/20 July to mark the anniversary of the 1974 military intervention/invasion of the island (with an Turkish occupation that still persists), add insult to [...]
New restrictions have been imposed in the island of Mykonos. They were deemed to be indispensable after the 250% surge of new coronavirus cases in the island in the past week. From Saturday evening, a curfew is in place from 1.00 pm to 06.00 am. There is also a 24-hour ban of music at all [...]
The anti-vaccination rally, organized on Wendesday 14, in Syntagma square, Athens, was surprisingly big. Thousands of citizens protested against the government’s decision to make vaccination against Covid-19 compulsory for part of the workforce (healthcare workers and nursing home staff). They also oppose government plans to expand compulsory vaccination further in the coming months. “Vaccination [...]
A game of musical chairs around the growth rate for Greece by Antonis D. Papagiannidis Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was the latest to join in the game of musical chairs orchestrated around the growth rate the Greek economy will be able to reach in 2021 and - even more importantly - in 2022. (In [...]
The renewed Covid-19 outbreak forced the Greek government to bring back some of the restrictions lifted in early summer. The restrictions mainly concern bars and restaurants, that are considered “superspreading” sites. From Thursday 8, bars, clubs and other entertainment venues will only be allowed to serve seated customers. Restaurants and cafés will have to operate only within [...]
New VAT rules for e-commerce have come into force in the European Union, from July 1, 2021. Everyone in the e-commerce supply chain is affected, from online sellers and marketplaces/platforms both inside and outside the EU, to postal operators and couriers, customs and tax administrations, right through to consumers. Here are the main points: All [...]
DEF back to Delphi: a case of applied resiliency by Antonis D. Papagiannidis The Delphi Economic Forum/DEF, the non-profit outfit that ever since 2016 strives to engage business, political, academic and other such talent in discussing current global European and regional challenges from a (mainly) Greek point of view, missed last year’s event and had [...]
