Labour Minister rejects pension increase proposal as reform discussions continue

Labour Minister Marinos Mousiouttas has rejected calls to increase the minimum pension from €450 to €1,088, labeling the proposed 125% hike as financially unfeasible. Mousiouttas emphasized that maintaining the sustainability of the Social Insurance Fund and fiscal stability remains the government's primary focus. The minister requested that public debate on specific pension levels be paused until the government unveils its comprehensive reform package by the end of June. The planned legislation is scheduled to be submitted to Parliament before the summer recess, with meetings between the ministry and political parties planned for the summer. The goal is to finalize the bill and secure parliamentary approval for implementation by January 1, 2027. Meanwhile, trade unions SEK and PEO have expressed concerns regarding the fragmented approach, arguing that the focus should be on the adequacy of pensions rather than strict deadlines.