Migration and Social Protection in Europe and Beyond (Volume 2) by Unknown

Author:Unknown
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9783030512453
Publisher: Springer International Publishing

13.4 Conclusions

Generally speaking, the services offered to Greek nationals abroad in the area of social protection are limited compared to the social policies offered to non-movers, because benefits are often tied to proof of residence in Greece. In practice, the lack of an official, updated registrar of Greek nationals residing abroad contributes to low enforcement of conditionality for provision of many services (for instance, unemployment, family and, since 2017, guaranteed minimum income benefits). At the same time, as already noted, there is a recent trend among Greek nationals who reside abroad to officially register their permanent foreign residence for tax purposes. This development may have spillovers into the social protection field - those who are registered as permanent residents abroad are ineligible for other benefits. Recent cuts in national budgets for social protection, as a response to the decade-long Greek economic and debt crisis, have not directly affected services offered to nationals abroad. Still, a number of consulates (for instance, in Germany, Belgium and France) were forced to suspend their services in 2010 (Kathimerini 2018).

Despite extensive public discussions about the “brain drain” of highly educated Greek nationals, there has been little concern about the social protection rights of Greek nationals residing abroad. It is assumed that the EU framework guaranteeing equal treatment with nationals of the host country in education, employment and social security, and existing international Treaties cover most needs. Still, the landscape of transnational social protection for Greek citizens is not uniform. As highlighted in this chapter, consular authorities in major countries of destination, such as Germany, Australia and the UK, offer a number of additional administrative services, for instance with regard to economic and educational services. In addition, the policy framework for older generations of migrants (in particular, related to health care and pension coverage) is more developed than the policy framework for new migrants that left Greece during the recent economic crisis (for instance, unemployment/family benefits). Last but not least, a number of special policies of social protection exist for specific professional groups, especially maritime personnel – not covered in this chapter. At the same time, one quickly notices the existence of several levels of informality in service provision, as consular employees act as informal nodes for granting information and easier access to health services, financing and employment opportunities in Greek diaspora communities. The importance of the Greek Orthodox Church, its role in extending social services informally and its ambivalent, if sometimes symbiotic, relationship with the Greek state should also not be underestimated, making the country’s policy comparable to other non-EU state policies in the area of religion (Turkey, Morocco). Greek orthodox parishes often participate in the representative bodies of the Greek diaspora and in emergency-service provision, enjoying, at the same time, autonomy from Greek authorities.

The representative institutions of Greek nationals abroad, such as the World Council for Hellenes Abroad and the General Secretariat for Greeks Abroad do not distinguish clearly between diaspora and Greek nationals in discourse or policy. This indicates an emphasis on “blood”

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