Tax Evasion: A Persisting Challenge in Greece

Welcome to this week's edition of the Planetwonk Experiences newsletter. We’ve curated a collection of captivating stories and updates just for you.

1. Tax Evasion: A Persisting Challenge in Greece

This year has seen alarming reports of poverty-level incomes among self-employed workers in Greece, notably bar and salon owners. A recent study revealed that 60% of these business owners are facing significant financial losses, with bar owners averaging a mere €694 monthly, veterinarians €885, and dentists €903. This underreporting of income has prompted revisions in tax calculations, leading to increased average annual taxes for the self-employed. Tax evasion remains a significant issue, disproportionately affecting regular taxpayers, including employees and pensioners. Despite clear evidence of the disparity between reported incomes and actual living conditions, the government hesitates to impose stricter measures, concerned about potential voter backlash. While a new presumptive taxation system has been introduced, it has yet to make a meaningful impact.

2. Professor Sentenced for Extorting Students

In a troubling case of academic misconduct, a university professor in Greece has received a suspended 17-month prison sentence for attempting to extort his students. The professor demanded kickbacks ranging from €300 to €400 from the research grants of PhD students and postgraduates under his supervision. Reports indicate he threatened to block future payments or remove students from their programs if they did not comply. One student testified that the professor attempted to reclaim four months of grant payments unless they paid him €300 from a €720 grant. The professor defended his actions, arguing that students would need to return their grants if their work was unsatisfactory.

3. The Escape of a Priest's Daughter from Abuse

In Thessaloniki, a 19-year-old woman has come forward with a harrowing account of abuse at the hands of her father, a priest. She revealed that he locked her in a small room beneath the church bell tower for three days due to disapproval of her lifestyle. Describing the room as a crypt with a rotten mattress and a foul odor, she reported being provided only with water and minimal food during her confinement. Her brother and a friend ultimately rescued her. The abuse intensified following the death of her mother when she was just eight years old, leading her to sever ties with her father after this traumatic experience.

4. Media Ownership in Greece Under Scrutiny

An in-depth investigation titled "Who Owns the Media" has uncovered the alarming concentration of media ownership in Greece, dominated by 12 influential oligarchs with interests spanning various sectors, including shipping and sports. Over 18 months, journalists tracked ownership across 30 countries, identifying nearly 800 companies linked to these oligarchs, many of which maintain hidden media ownership. This lack of transparency complicates public understanding of who shapes the information landscape, raising concerns about media pluralism and the independent reporting of critical issues in Greece.

If you enjoyed this week's round-up and would like to access exclusive premium content in the future, please consider pledging a subscription. Don't worry, you won't be charged until we enable payments, and your pledge helps us plan for the future and produce even better content.