The struggle of 45 teachers from Patras and other regions of Western Greece, who claimed through the court system, to be returned to them the Christmas and Easter gifts cut due to memos and the leave allowance, or in other words, the 13th and 14th salary of the State, ended without result .
The Single-Member Court of Appeal of Patras, with a decision it issued a few months ago and which was recently made public, ruled that the accrued salaries of the State and the expectation of their future payment fall within the protective field of the European Convention on Human Rights, without, however, granting a right in permanent receipt of salaries and pensions of a certain amount, unless there is a case of jeopardizing the decent living of the person concerned.
The provision, with which, according to the budgetary cost, the holiday gifts and the leave allowance were abolished, does not contradict the principle of proportionality, nor the principle of justified trust. Therefore, it does not violate the First Additional Protocol of the ECHR, nor the Constitution.
This is the decision numbered A248/2024 of the 3rd Single Member Administrative Court of Appeal of Patras, which met in public on March 22, 2024 in Patras, to hear an appeal filed by 45 teachers, against the Greek State, which was represented by Paredros of the Legal Council of State, Epaminondas Apostolopoulos.
The amounts in question requested to be paid to them with interest, with the legal default interest (6%). Additionally, they requested that the obligation to pay the amounts in question plus 1000 euros be read as compensation for the moral damage they suffered from the cut in gifts and allowances.
However, the court, applying the relevant decisions of the Plenary Session of the Council of the Territory, rejected the appeal of the 45 teachers, accepting that the Greek State, assessing the prevailing social and economic conditions and taking into account the fiscal situation of the Country, may proceed to reform of the payroll of public officials and employees.
At the same time, the court points out that the matter was decided by decisions of the Plenary Session of the Council of the Territory, for the complete abolition of holidays and leave allowances for the officials and employees of the State and the wider public sector and for the military, as a direct measure for the dealing with the ongoing economic and fiscal crisis. This measure is part of a wider, integrated program of fiscal adjustment (“Medium-term Plan of Fiscal Strategy 2013-2016”) and promotion of structural reforms of the Greek economy, which aims both to cover the immediate economic needs of the Country and to deal with the particularly increased deficits, as well as improving its future fiscal situation
In fact, the court also ruled that the nature and amount of the holiday and leave allowances that were cut, cannot be considered as endangering the dignified living of the employees, that it does not violate the protection of the rights of employees employed in a public law employment relationship and , therefore, this does not contradict the principle of proportionality enshrined in the Constitution nor the principle of justified trust.
This is a measure that concerns all employees of the State and the wider public sector, while the issue of granting holidays and leave allowances to employees of the private sector, who are a different category, against whom other measures of an economic nature have been imposed, is different . At the same time that the judiciary cuts gifts and allowances to the State, judges claim them for themselves with their appeals to the competent bodies.
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Table of Contents
- 1 Here are some People Also Ask (PAA) questions related to the title “The Struggle of 45 Teachers from Patras: A Setback in the Fight for Christmas and Easter Gifts”:
- 2 Here are some People Also Ask (PAA) questions related to the title *Teachers in Greece Face Struggle for 13th and 14th Salary: An Analysis of the Court Ruling*:
The Struggle of 45 Teachers from Patras: A Setback in the Fight for Christmas and Easter Gifts
In a recent ruling, the Single-Member Court of Appeal of Patras has dealt a blow to 45 teachers from Patras and other regions of Western Greece who were fighting to have their Christmas and Easter gifts, also known as the 13th and 14th salaries, reinstated. The court’s decision, issued a few months ago and made public recently, has sparked controversy and debate about the rights of public sector employees in Greece.
Background of the Case
The 45 teachers, represented by Paredros of the Legal Council of State, Epaminondas Apostolopoulos, had appealed to the court to have their holiday gifts and leave allowances reinstated, which were cut due to memos and budgetary costs. They requested that the amounts in question be paid to them with interest, along with 1000 euros as compensation for the moral damage they suffered from the cut in gifts and allowances.
The Court’s Ruling
The court, however, rejected the appeal of the 45 teachers, ruling that the provision to abolish holiday gifts and leave allowances did not contradict the principle of proportionality, nor the principle of justified trust. The court further stated that the accrued salaries of the State and the expectation of their future payment fall within the protective field of the European Convention on Human Rights, but did not grant a right in permanent receipt of salaries and pensions of a certain amount, unless there is a case of jeopardizing the decent living of the person concerned.
Reasons Behind the Ruling
The court’s decision was based on the relevant decisions of the Plenary Session of the Council of the Territory, which had ruled for the complete abolition of holidays and leave allowances for officials and employees of the State and the wider public sector, as well as the military. This measure was part of a wider, integrated program of fiscal adjustment and promotion of structural reforms of the Greek economy, aimed at dealing with the ongoing economic and fiscal crisis.
Public Sector Employees Affected
The court’s ruling affects all employees of the State and the wider public sector, while employees of the private sector, who are a different category, are subject to different measures of an economic nature. The issue of granting holidays and leave allowances to employees of the private sector is a separate matter.
Irony of the Judiciary
In an ironic twist, judges themselves claim holiday gifts and leave allowances, making appeals to the competent bodies. This has raised questions about the fairness and equity of the system.
Education in Patras
The city of Patras is home to the University of Patras, which has a strong reputation in Greece and abroad [[1]]. The university has a vibrant academic community, with a variety of programs and research opportunities. The Erasmus Student Network University of Patras (ESN UOPA) is a non-profit student organization that supports international students at the university [[1]]. Patras is also home to several other educational institutions, including the Hellenic Open University [[2]].
Conclusion
The struggle of the 45 teachers from Patras and other regions of Western Greece is a reminder of the ongoing struggle of public sector employees in Greece to maintain their rights and benefits. While the court’s ruling may have dealt a setback to their efforts, it is clear that the issue is far from over. The fight for fair treatment and compensation for public sector employees will continue, and it is likely that we will see more cases like this in the future.
Teachers in Greece Face Struggle for 13th and 14th Salary: An Analysis of the Court Ruling
In a recent court ruling, 45 teachers from Patras and other regions of Western Greece saw their hopes of reclaiming the 13th and 14th salaries, also known as Christmas and Easter gifts, crushed. The Single-Member Court of Appeal of Patras rejected the appeal, stating that the Greek State has the right to reform the payroll of public officials and employees, including cutting holiday gifts and leave allowances, as a measure to deal with the ongoing economic and fiscal crisis.
The Backdrop of the Crisis
Greece has been facing an economic crisis since 2013, which has led to austerity measures, including the abolition of holiday gifts and leave allowances for public officials and employees. The teachers, who claimed that the cuts violate their rights and decent living, took their case to court. However, the court ruled that the provision does not contradict the principle of proportionality, nor the principle of justified trust, and therefore does not violate the First Additional Protocol of the ECHR or the Constitution.
The Court’s Ruling
The court’s decision, numbered A248/2024, emphasized that the Greek State has the right to assess the prevailing social and economic conditions and take into account the fiscal situation of the Country to reform the payroll of public officials and employees. The court also pointed out that the measure is part of a wider, integrated program of fiscal adjustment and promotion of structural reforms of the Greek economy.
The Impact on Teachers’ Salaries
The average school teacher gross salary in Athens, Greece is approximately €25,990, or an equivalent hourly rate of €12 [[1]]. However, English teachers in Greece can earn between $800 and $1,100 per month [[2]], with rates ranging from as low as €500 to the country’s average of €1,060 [[3]]. The cut in holiday gifts and leave allowances has undoubtedly affected the teachers’ take-home pay, making it more challenging to make ends meet.
Conclusion
The court’s ruling is a setback for the 45 teachers who fought for the reinstatement of their 13th and 14th salaries. The decision highlights the Greek State’s efforts to deal with the ongoing economic and fiscal crisis, but it also underscores the struggles faced by public officials and employees, including teachers, who are affected by the austerity measures. As the country continues to navigate its economic challenges, it is essential to strike a balance between fiscal discipline and the well-being of its citizens, including those who serve the education sector.
References:
[[1]]https://www.salaryexpert.com/salary/job/school-teacher/greece/athens
[[2]]https://www.tesolcourse.com/tesol-faqs/tefl-tesol-salary/how-much-can-i-earn-teaching-english-in-greece/
[[3]]https://www.xploretefl.com/articles/english-teaching-salary-in-greece/
