The Union of Working Consumers of Greece (EEKE) participated in the event of the National Commission for Human Rights (GNCHR) held on Monday, November 24th , 2025, in the Athens Bar Association. The seminar is part of GNCHR’s actions to strengthen human rights education and cultivate a broader culture of respect for human rights.
The Union of Working Consumers of Greece (EEKE) presented relevant data from its initiatives addressing:
1. The surge in food prices and essential household needs in Greece,
2. Outcomes from its activities concerning debt restructuring of non-performing loans and the protection of primary residences and individuals’ property, as well as proposals submitted to public discourse aimed at mitigating inflation and the housing crisis.
3. Its actions to address the increase in food prices and basic needs of Greek households, the results of its actions to regulate non-performing debts and protect the primary residence and property of individuals, as well as the proposals it has put forward in the public debate to address the housing shortage and crisis.
4. In addition, new vulnerability criteria resulting from the experience of managing vulnerable populations were presented for the following groups: a) Digitally illiterate elderly citizens and b) Households that do not fully service their credit debts (Banks, AADE, EFKA etc.).
5. Access to quality food and access to quality and affordable housing are limited, under the pressure of low wages and the ever-increasing cost of living. Everyone has the right to adequate remuneration and housing that ensure a decent standard of living for themselves and their families.
The speakers and their interventions:
• Panos Tsakloglou, Professor at the Department of International and European Economic Studies of the Athens University of Economics, on the topic:
“Consumer Price Index and Wages. What do the available data show”.
• Marianella Kloka, President of the Board of the Hellenic Network for the Fight against Poverty, on the topic:
“Annual Report on Poverty in Greece: Findings, Conclusions and Policy Recommendations”.
• Anastasia Chatzipavlou, Director of the Union of Working Consumers of Greece (EEKE), on the topic:
“The role of consumer associations. Vulnerability criteria”.
• Vasiliki Poula, PhD Candidate in Urban Infrastructure at the University of Oxford and Content Director of 1830 lab, on the topic:
“Housing crisis: from experience to understanding”.
The event was coordinated by Petros Stangos, Emeritus Professor of the Law School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, former Member and Vice-President of the European Committee of Social Rights of the Council of Europe.