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GreekReporter.comAustraliaTeachers from Greece working in Victorian schools face major cuts in entitlements

Teachers from Greece working in Victorian schools face major cuts in entitlements

Teachers seconded to Australian schools from Greece are bracing themeselves for significant drops in their salary as a result of the cutbacks in public service entitlements in Greece.
The cutbacks are part of the austerity package being implemented in Greece to address its financial crisis.
The allowances that Greek teachers receive in Australia will decrease from approximately $2,465 to $1,850, according to an announcement by the Greek Ministry of Finance, because the allowances will be taxed at a higher rate. They will be taxed at 40 percent as opposed to 15 percent that applied previously.
“I don’t have money to pay my rent,” teacher from Greece Eleni Tsefala (foto) said to Neos Kosmos. Greek teachers are also paid their basic salary but that money is deposited in Greece. The average salary is about 1200 euros ($1 800) a month.
However, the allowances have been a major incentive for seconded teachers to work abroad. “Under these conditions I find it very difficult to continue and stay in Australia,” Mrs Tsefala said.
However returning to Greece is not an option, particularly for those teachers such as Mrs Tsefala who have completed less than three years of service abroad.
Returning to Greece with less than three years service abroad leaves teachers liable for reimbursing the Greek state for their initial airfare and their relocation allowance.

Salary cuts have not yet been officially implemented by the Greek Ministry of Education, according to Harris Ladopoulos, Educational Coordinator at the Greek Consulate General in Melbourne because a Ministerial Directive has not been signed.
“Although we don’t have anything official at this moment it is estimated that the cutback will roughly amount to $620 (a month) for the teacher’s allowance,” Mr Ladopoulos said.
(source: neos kosmos)

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