60.000 fake disability pensions under the microscope

From today, September 1st, there will be a new system for checking disability pensions. Current committees will be abolished and new ones set up, involving 1000 doctors that will be selected by a draw to exclude any potential shady dealings.

The new Disability Certification Center will determine the degree of disability for all funds.

It is estimated that 60.000 fake disability pensions are issued to athletes, taxi drivers etc. Besides the new pensions, the system will also be check those still pending and re-inspect the final pensions in areas where their percentage goes above average.

The average rate in Greece is 14,5% and 7% -8% in the EU. For example, the percentage of disability pensions in Chania and Heraklion climbs to 25% to 28%, a rate that could only be justified if the battle of Crete had just finished…

The aim of labour minister George Koutroumanis is that disability pensions be reduced by 10%, as he expects that the "cleanup" will save 600 million euros by 2015.