The EU approach to the adoption of GMI
and the Greek case
Constantine D. GEORMAS
PhD in Sociology
This study will follow four steps. Firstly
there will be a short discussion of the developments in the field of social
protection and the variations of the idea of a basic income. This is
necessary in order to establish a framework within which the debate on the
minimum guaranteed income. The second step is to outline the implementation of
the institution of GMI in Europe. The third step is the European Union's
approach to the minimum guaranteed income. It is essential because, as has been
pointed out "The knowledge and assimilation of transnational social policies
is now necessary condition for designing and implementing social policy programmes
at the national level" (Sakellaropoulos, 2001.15). Especially when that
organization is the European Union. The forth step is the reaction of the Greek
state in the European constitution Finally, the fifth step provides a
description of the requirements and the process for the introduction of
guaranteed minimum income in Greece.
1. Poverty and social exclusion, and a
guaranteed minimum income
Modern societies, although abundant societies
face the paradox of the persistence of poverty and social exclusion. The
hitherto existing resources and social policy measures and have significant
results in reducing these phenomena, they can not eliminate them. Suffice it to
say that even the most efficient countries of Europe in the fight against
poverty have rates of nearly 12% (Denmark and Sweden). Across the European
Union the risk of poverty is 17% with Greece reaches 20% (Eurostat-2007).
