Preparedness for when

1Tonsil

The EU asked them to get rid of early retirement. They wanted it to be 67 years of age in the last offer. They also wanted it immediately so all those due to retire this year would have to work longer, even though they had the required contributions credited already. I understand that in the latest letter from Greece, the Greek government ask that it is brought in gradually over the next couple of years. Although this may change as the EU insist that no matter what the vote , the agreement has to start from scratch, along with the negotiations. There is a chance the EU will put in their own government, like they did when they put in the technocrats before......not democratically elected. Hope this makes sense....its very complicated and they keep moving the goal posts...the EU that is...:D

1Tonsil

Contributions to the national insurance are currently 275 a month for those employed .... the employer pays more than that to the fund. The payment for self employed it around three fifty a month I think...but payable all year whether you are open in the winter or not as a business. Add to this taxes paid in advance on what they think you might earn...and you know why few businesses continue to operate.
The average wage for a shop or bar worker is around five to eight euros an hour...there is no longer a minimum wage here.

1Tonsil

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/economics/11718296/EU-warns-of-Armageddon-if-Greek-voters-reject-terms.html now this is the kind of stuff we have been getting from the EU. Incidentally, when Cameron went to discuss changing the agreement with the EU...he was told in no uncertain terms that it is not a possibility at any time in the future. It is not, and never will be, up for discussion or change. Was this mentioned in the UK or not?

Karmacat

1Tonsil, I've certainly seen reports that re-negotiation of the UK's membership isn't on - it's said that it would require a treaty to replace the original Treaty of Rome - which seems, um, specious to me.

Today, we're getting reports of less apocalyptic quotes from European officials and ministers - its almost as if they thought they could still get Greece and Tsipras on the run, and now that he hasn't been overwhelmed by events, they've had to become a tiny bit more conciliatory in their quotes. Of course, I'm also seeing quite a bit about how the "yes" vote has been financed, from abroad. Really makes you think about stuff.

1Tonsil

We were going to go out for lunch but have decided its too hot to go anywhere in the car, and we run the risk of them not being open due to the voting anyway. So using up my old winter spuds and making some mash with gluten free sausages in onion gravy, with lots of fresh veggies. It might be hot in the kitchen, but it smells like it will be worth it.

On a scarier note, early this morning some soldiers on the Greek side of the Albanian border got ambushed and shot. Details are sketchy at the moment , but it seems we have sent helicopters to check it out and there is a lot of Albanian military movement in the area. Will keep you updated if I hear anything.

There seems to be a very low turnout so far in the referendum voting....no doubt many see it as pointless. I would like to know how they can show how the votes are going if they are secret ballots and not counted till after nine tonight......

moneyistooshorttomention

The way they worded that voting question in the Greek referendum was more than a little puzzling to say the least. I'd have been flummoxed personally by that wording.

Guess people are ignoring the wording and just voting "with the general feeling" of yes or no to "austerity" and ignoring what the actual wording says?

1Tonsil

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

The way they worded that voting question in the Greek referendum was more than a little puzzling to say the least. I'd have been flummoxed personally by that wording.

Guess people are ignoring the wording and just voting "with the general feeling" of yes or no to "austerity" and ignoring what the actual wording says?

I think its confusing for everyone with that wording...and that is supposed to be the simpler version! Many are confused by the EU who said it was a direct yes or no to the euro....then took it back when threatened by court action.:eek:

moneyistooshorttomention

On a very direct question re whether people due to retire this year were facing being told that it had been postponed to 67 - how much notice would they have had of that proposed change?

Presumably, they were planning to say "Those within x months of the age they are expecting to retire at will still be allowed to retire at that age"?? (ie rather than having the goalposts shifted against them personally iyswim because they are so close to them).

1Tonsil

It seems that they were going to bring the changes in immediately, with no warning given to the ones concerned. I think this is so wrong

moneyistooshorttomention

1Tonsil wrote: »

It seems that they were going to bring the changes in immediately, with no warning given to the ones concerned. I think this is so wrong

Yikes!

You mean as in telling people "You know you were due to be able to retire/had made all the plans to do so literally next month and now you cant":eek::eek:

How on earth were people supposed to change their plans at such short notice (ie none)? Very first thought being them having to give a letter to their employers saying "You know I was going to retire in 2 weeks time/have already handed in my notice of that and you've arranged for a replacement person to have my job - cancel all that, as I'm staying put in the job...s*d it....".