The Union of Consumer Workers of Greece of GSEE, from the first moment of the implementation by the Greek government  of the “household basket” measure, with continuous surveys, checks, comparisons either on site or through the “e-katanalotis” platform, demonstrated with tangible evidence that this measure, does not provide any substantial benefit to the consumers of Greece, despite the intense advertising of products, businesses, commercial practices, etc., with which the citizens were bombarded by the Greek Government  authorities and a multitude of mass media.

The EEKE, is dedicated  to its role and purpose for the protection of consumers and low income vulnerable groups, will announce the findings and the evaluation of the weekly operation of this measure, in order to help the consumer cope with the wave of high prices, in a way as beneficial as possible for him. Thus, in the second week of this measure (9/11-15/11/2022), we found the following:

1. November 14 has been established as World Diabetes Day (DM) by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Despite this and despite the commitments of the Ministry of Development from the beginning of the implementation of the “household basket”, no product considered a special food for diabetics has been registered. We point out that the percentage of diabetics in Greece are 10% of the total population, which shows the extent of the social exclusion of this particular category of our fellow human beings.
2. In many of the participating supermarket chains in the “household basket” state imposed measure, the following phenomenon was observed: product listed in the first week, removed in the second week  and sold on the regular shelves at a price up to 110% more expensive than the previous week (e.g. eggs of a certain brand were sold in the first week of the “basket” for €1.90, while after their removal from the list, they are sold for €3.99, or Greek coffee 194gr was sold in the “basket” for €2.44 and in the second week €3.88). This proves the characterization of the “basket” as a semi-measure, since after all the consumer’s only benefit in certain product categories lasted only six (6) days!
3. It was found that many registered products were only available in local markets (e.g. pasteurized milk available only in areas of Northern Greece), at the cheapest price, while the same product available nationwide has a premium price. The result of this action is to present (also from official lips) that specific chains have dropped prices, while the truth is that the reduced price only concerns a small area of ​​the country!
4. There was a shortage of “basket” products as early as the first day of the second week (eg milk, toast, pork, etc.), which were replaced at least two days later.
5. On the state e-katanalotis platform, which is managed by the General Secretariat of Trade and Consumer Protection, a misleading comparison of products dissimilar in terms of size, packaging, type is made, in order to highlight a price reduction, e.g. a comparison is made of a smoked turkey 300 gr – price €2.49 which was registered in the first week, with a turkey 160 gr – price €0.99 which was registered in the second week. In the “price fluctuation” bar, a fictitious decrease of €1.50 is visible!
6. The phenomenon continues for the second week, that some of the trading chains that registered products on the “e-katanalotis” platform, have not sent a complete list of them, i.e. they do not cover all the categories as described in the law. So far, neither the result of an audit nor the imposition of a (minimum for food retail chains) fine of €5,000 for each day of non-compliance with this obligation has been announced by the competent Service.

The Union of Consumer Workers of Greece will monitor and control and highlight all anti-consumer practices wherever they come from. Our aim is to ensure that no consumer is left unprotected in the face of misleading practices.