PASOK criticizes Greek government over farmers' pension inequalities

Kostas Tsoukalas, spokesperson for PASOK-Kίνημα Αλλαγής, has criticized the Greek government for its rigid application of the Katrougalos law regarding social security. He accused the New Democracy administration of treating the law as “holy gospel” while simultaneously claiming to change it, arguing that the current implementation is punitive toward the Greek periphery and former OGA (farmers' social security organization) insured individuals.

Tsoukalas highlighted several inequalities affecting farmers, including those receiving survivor pensions who lose benefits upon reaching age 67, and those receiving widowhood pensions who lose their original OGA basic pension component. He noted that the financial benefit for farmers accumulating both old-age and widowhood pensions through EFKA ranges from zero to only 20 euros per month. Additionally, he pointed out that farmers from the 2018-2020 period retiring at age 67 receive significantly lower monthly payments, specifically citing amounts below 417 euros.