15/06/2018
In response to a question from the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT), Eurostat concluded (Ref.Ares[2018]2256751-27-4-2018) that the organisation responsible for the supplementary pension, health and welfare entitlements of Greek media employees (EDOEAP) should be classified as a general government body. However, Eurostat’s information is outdated. In fact, as indicated by Eurostat itself, the information provided by the Greek authorities applies up to 2016, when the 20% advertising levy was still a source of income. The levy was abolished on 16 September 2016, however. Furthermore under Law 4498/2017, EDOEAP revenue takes the form of employer and employee contributions that were agreed prior to the government legislation. The same applies to the agreed employer contribution amounting to 2% of media company turnover. With regard to the EDOEAP ‘bailout’, the EFKA Social Security Institution has indeed lent it money since, following the abolition of the advertising levy, it was unable to meet its obligations, a situation brought about by the failure of the Greek authorities to introduce the necessary legislation for 18 months until November 2017. This extraordinary — once-off — situation will not occur again, now that the EDOEAP its own source of revenue.
In view of this:
Can the Commission say how it will rectify this error by Eurostat?
