Greece/ 5.1 General legislation  

5.1.4 Social security frameworks

Collective agreements for performing artists, such as actors, were established upon the initiative of Melina Mercouri in the early 1980s. Such agreements have been established with public television and radio companies and between the Association of Greek Actors with theatre entrepreneurs. Typically, performers work on short term engagements, either as independent contractors or on a day salary basis, and often find it difficult to collect the necessary time credits in order to be paid a full pension.

Nevertheless, the framework of social security for self-employed artists and authors remains sorely lacking. The Ministry of Culture has intervened in several public cases of financial hardship of writers, artists or actors to offer financial support. It operates an honorary pension scheme, which is, however, limited to a small number of writers and artists deemed to be of national importance (Law 3075/2002).

See also comparative information provided in the Compendium "Themes!" section under "Status of Artists".

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