In this era of expensive market place and difficult-to-figure euro, when most people complain about ‘not enough being done’ but don’t really know the government’s obligations towards them, and unionism is being looked down upon, and people are just indifferent towards everything, who then is responsible for existing conditions?

Perhaps we all are even though we don’t admit it.

While life may not change drastically, it is still wise to take advantage of all the rights available to all citizens.

Things like rent allowance, social tourism, funding and social assistance from work associations, camping etc. But, before we review everything analytically, we must emphasize that all legal residents are entitled to these rights, regardless of color, creed or nationality.  

You didn’t know? Then you haven’t asked! We did . . . and this is what we found:

O.E.K is the Organization for Workmen Housing – Rent Allowance.

Eligible are: A) Laborers, clerks, telephone company employees, civil servants, bank employees, and those insured in IKA, TAXY, etc. B) Pensioners of the above national insurances. C) Greeks from the former Soviet Union.

Requirements:

Eligibility A: 1) Deductions towards OEK. 2) A certain amount of work stamps is necessary depending on the number of children or seasonal work as well as 120 of the work stamps to have been obtained in the last two years. 3) You may not own a home in Greece. 4) The family income must not exceed a certain amount which again depends on certain factors. For example, a seasonal worker with two children should not earn more than 14.000 Euros a year. 5) Must not have obtained a loan through OEK to purchase a house.

Eligibility B: Must have a certain number of work stamps for the years worked. Also 1,3,4,5 (above) are also applicable.

Eligibility C: Repatriated Greeks who have re-entered by December 31, 1999 must go to OEK with their special identification and must not fulfill the above requirements in the work force.

Justificatory papers needed: 1) Certificate for family situation. 2) A notarized copy of your tax return and an E9 return. 3) A copy from IKA or your carrier as to the general number of your work stamps, the three last years, and a certificate that deductions are being made towards OEK. 4) A 105 form (an accountable statement). 5) An application which is available within the organization offices.

Finally, you must know that the allowance varies due to many factors. For instance, a seasonal worker with two children will receive 2.980 Euros. Occasionally, OEK will proclaim lotteries for workmen housing at no cost for the eligible and will also issue loans to purchase a “first house.” Information for all the above and applications are available at the ΚΕΠ offices of your area. The telephone for the OEK in Iraklion is 2810-224224, 343909. Its website is www.oek.gr.

OEE is a social service organization for workmen located at the Iraklion Workmen Center – Social Tourism. 

Eligible are: A) Workmen, clerks, those insured with IKA, TAXY, OTE, Hellenic Post Office, etc. B) Pensioners of the above. C) Unmarried mothers and single parent families. D) Disabled individuals with 67 percent and up disability.

Those insured with ΟΓΑ are not eligible, although they can get “tickets” from their own branch of national insurance, from their local representative or at the ΚΕΠ offices at the townships. You are eligible for social tourism programs from OEE every two years regardless of the family income. Besides the tourism coupons, the social service also gives out show coupons, book buying coupons, and 4-day excursions from Thursday to Sunday during the period of April 10 to May 25.

Requirements: 1) Dues must be paid towards OEE, from 100 working days by the insured or 50 paid unemployment days. 2) Candidates must not have received coupons the previous year. 3) Builders need 75 working days or 50 paid unemployment days. 4) Unmarried mothers and single parent families need 50 working days or 50 paid unemployment days. 5) Pensioners must have completed 1500 working days with deductions towards OEE.

Justificatory papers needed: 1) Individual and family healthcare book. 2) Legal identification of the insured and from family members old enough to have one. 3) Tax numbers of both spouses. 4) A work stamp (ensima) book where required work days and unemployment days appear.5) Pensioners must bring the initial pension decision paper along.

The filing of all the papers can also done by someone else with your valid power of attorney. Social tourism coupons cover dependents up to a certain age and the financial obligation is minimal. You must be careful with filing-date deadlines. Tel: 2810-282997 and www.oee.gr.

Camps IKA, TAXI, civil servants etc.

The institution of organized children’s camping is a social need with rich cultural and intellectual activities. It’s a necessary piece of childhood where a child gathers up some positive messages through games. And more importantly the child learns to live and interact outside the protective home umbrella.

It concerns children from 6 to 14 years of age in three different camping periods during summer holidays.

There are camps that were created and controlled by state agencies, and private camps that co-operate with almost all the different insuring organizations.

If there are too many applications which the camp sites cannot cover, then children who go for the first time and children who didn’t go the previous year are preferred. For the private camps a small contribution maybe asked from the parents, but that will depend upon the monies paid to the camps from sponsoring organizations.

In any case, organizations that will not cover the entire amount are very few.

Camp sponsored by Iraklion Prefecture – Kokkini Hani

A) Application. B) Vaccination book. C) Income tax return. www.nah.gr

Argonauts - On the road towards Lasithi, before Hersonisos.

A) Application which includes a doctor’s report regarding the child’s health. B) The child’s healthcare book (insurance) and the book of the parent who has insured the child. C) Two pictures. All these must be filed with the insurance agency. Tel. for Argonauts 2810-284111, 28970-25491 and www.argonaft.gr.

Lotus Eaters - In Agriana – Hersonisos.

Same papers as Argonauts. Tel. 28970-24500 and www.lotofagi.gr.

Zografaki Village Park – In Sisi.

Same paperwork as the other two. Tel. 2810-236555, 28410-71071 and www.zografaki.com.

Have a great summer!