IMF:Supporting Migrants and Remittances as COVID-19 Rages On

Dear maria, We just published a new blog—please find the full text below. . Supporting Migrants and Remittances as COVID-19 Rages On By Saad Noor Quayyum and Roland Kangni Kpodar Just as COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted some communities more than others, globally, the virus has had an oversized negative impact on migrant workers.  Perhaps surprisingly, despite the bleak experience for foreign overseas workers during the pandemic, the effect on remittances—the flow of money they send back home—has, in many cases, proven resilient. But that trend may yet be upended.  The predicament of migrant workers over the last few months has highlighted the pressing need—now greater than ever—to support them and their families back home. We offer some suggestions below. The plight of the migrant worker In the wake of the pandemic, many overseas foreign workers lost their jobs, and reports were widespread of newly laid-off foreign employees stranded in host countries without the means to return home.  Migrants, many of whom are undocumented, often face a heavier burden than a local worker once they lose their job. They often lack access to social safety nets or stimulus checks, which provide a cushion to their local counterparts. This is especially the case for the undocumented or those on temporary work visas At the same time, many migrant workers have limited or no access to healthcare. Crowded living quarters, together with poor working conditions, put them at higher risk of contracting the virus. They may also live in fear of deportation as several countries have tightened immigration rules in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. Outlook for remittances Unsurprising then that remittances were expected to take a hit from the pandemic as countries that employ large numbers of foreign workers moved into recession. In addition, the hundreds of thousands of migrant workers employed in major oil-producing countries also suffered repercussions from the drop in oil prices, which weighed down the outlook of Gulf Cooperation Council countries and Russia. The remittances sent back by migrants are a crucial source of external financing. In 57 countries, it exceeded 5 percent of GDP last year. The money went mostly to low-income households.  Against the background of the current health crisis, the need for that income is acute. Back in April, the World Bank estimated that remittances would fall by 20 percent in low and middle-income countries. This is broadly consistent with projections derived from applying the elasticity of remittances to growth—observed during the 2008 global financial crisis—to the June 2020 forecasts of the International Monetary Fund’s World Economic Outlook. However, growth remained reasonably strong in low-income developing countries during the financial crisis, so the need for remittances in recipient countries was not as urgent as it is now. Despite the coronavirus and its likely impact on remittances, the picture is not unconditionally bleak. Remittances often hold up in response to adverse shocks in recipient countries. This possibly explains why they were surprisingly resilient in many countries in the first half of the year (see below). While there is a great deal of diversity, remittances largely fell from March, then started to stabilize in May before picking up. This pattern was broadly in line with the stringency of virus containment policies in advanced countries where strict measures were put in place in March and slowly relaxed starting in May. The bounce back in remittances could be driven by a greater need to send money back to families as the remittance-receiving countries now struggle with the pandemic (see below) and collapse in external demand. This illustrates the counter-cyclical role of remittances. But, if migrants are dipping into their meager savings to support families back home, this may not be sustainable over time, especially if the recession in host economies becomes protracted. A second outbreak of the coronavirus in the later part of the year in host economies, for example, could jeopardize remittance flows further. Now more than ever, adequate and timely policy responses from both remittance-sending and remittance-receiving countries are critical to help migrant workers. Overseas workers often fill essential roles—in healthcare, agriculture, food production and processing—and often risk their lives to perform these jobs.  Host countries could ensure all migrants have access to health care, and basic goods and services. There have been some positive steps in this area: all migrants and asylum-seekers were temporarily granted citizenship rights in Portugal. Italy announced plans for temporary work permits for more than half a million undocumented migrants deemed essential for harvesting crops and caring for the elderly. The State of California has contributed $75 million to a $125 million fund to provide $500 to support each undocumented worker. Back home, authorities in countries that send workers overseas could step up support to vulnerable households, especially in those countries where the drop in remittances has been more severe. As remittances dry-up, well-targeted cash transfers and food aid can be especially helpful to protect poor households, and those at risk of falling back into poverty. Returning migrants may need training to be reabsorbed in the labor market. Access to credit can help them start a business where opportunities in the formal labor market is limited.  Technology could also be leveraged to the benefit of migrant workers and their families. For example, digital technology and mobile payment systems could be used to facilitate and lower the cost of sending and receiving remittances. The average cost of sending remittances was about 7 percent in the first quarter of 2020. Reducing this cost now would return a significant amount of money to the poor. Governments could modify regulations to facilitate flows while minimizing risks of inappropriate use. Relaxing caps on how much can be transferred digitally (through mobile phones for example) can be helpful.  Providing tax incentives to money transfer service providers to offset reduction in fees, as Pakistan did during the Global Financial Crisis can be smart move. Schemes like the 2 percent cash back for remitters instituted by Bangladesh can further support remittance flow. Increasing market competition among the remittance service providers can also drive down the cost. ***** Read our recent blogs about how emerging market economies are likely to face more challenges in the next phase of the crisis and how low-income developing countries could risk a lost decade without help. Thank you again for your interest in IMF Blog. Take good care, Glenn Gottselig Blog Editor, IMF GGottselig@IMF.org

Η ΠΦΥ εξακολουθεί να “δυσπνοεί” εν μέσω πανδημίας

ΕΝΙ - ΕΟΠΥΥΕΝΩΣΗ ΙΑΤΡΩΝ Ε.Ο.Π.Υ.Υ.
ΔΕΛΤΙΟ ΤΥΠΟΥ ΕΝΙ-ΕΟΠΥΥ 31/12/2015








Η ΠΦΥ εξακολουθεί να “δυσπνοεί” εν μέσω πανδημίας

Απλήρωτοι οι οικογενειακοί ιατροί από τον ΕΟΠΥΥ –

Άφαντοι οι λοιποί ειδικοί ιατροί –

Έρχεται ο καταλογισμός του clawback –

Εν μέσω πανδημίας COVID-19, οι οικογενειακοί ιατροί παραμένουν απλήρωτοι και αποκλεισμένοι από το ηλεκτρονικό σύστημα υποβολής των παραστατικών για αποζημίωση από τον ΕΟΠΥΥ. Οι υπόλοιπες ειδικότητες αναμένουν με μεγάλη προσμονή την αποπληρωμή των δεδουλευμένων τους, ώστε να ανταποκριθούν στις αυξημένες οικονομικές υποχρεώσεις της τρέχουσας περιόδου.

Στις 30/09/2020 λήγει η παρούσα σύμβαση των 830 οικογενειακών ιατρών με τον ΕΟΠΥΥ, που προέκυψε μετά από μαζική καταγγελία των συμβάσεων των 2000 παθολόγων, γενικών ιατρών και παιδιάτρων τον Αύγουστο του 2018 από τον ΕΟΠΥΥ.

Η ΕΝΙ-ΕΟΠΥΥ συνεχίζει το δικαστικό αγώνα για την αποκατάσταση της αδικίας που υπέστησαν οι συνάδελφοι προ 2ετίας από τη μονομερή αιφνίδια καταγγελία εις βάρος των συμβεβλημένων ιατρών, η οποία τους προκάλεσε ανεπανόρθωτη οικονομική ζημία και συνωστισμό των πολιτών στα εξωτερικά ιατρεία των Νοσοκομείων, κατάσταση που είναι ανεπίτρεπτη εν μέσω πανδημίας. Η υποχρεωτική αραίωση των ραντεβού στα Νοσοκομεία έχει αφήσει ακάλυπτες ανάγκες ασφαλισμένων και ανασφάλιστων πολιτών.

Παρόλο που η πανδημία εξελίσσεται, αναμένεται ακόμη η προκήρυξη των 800 θέσεων των λοιπών ειδικοτήτων που θα ενίσχυαν περαιτέρω την Πρωτοβάθμια Φροντίδα υγείας των πολιτών, δέσμευση που ανακοινώθηκε προ έτους από τον Υπουργό Υγείας και τον Πρωθυπουργό της χώρας.

Τονίζουμε ότι ο διαφορετικός τρόπος αποζημίωσης (πάγια αντιμισθία, per capita, κατά πράξη και περίπτωση αμοιβή) των ιατρών του ΕΟΠΥΥ δημιουργεί ανισότητα, η δε μορφή αμοιβής με πάγια αντιμισθία, ασχέτως καταγραφής αριθμού επισκέψεων, δημιουργεί αντιπαραγωγικό πρότυπο.

Οι εκπτώσεις όγκου και αυτοπαραπομπής (rebate) στην αποζημίωση και οι άδικες δυσβάστακτες περικοπές αποζημίωσης του εργαστηριακού τομέα της ΠΦΥ μέσω του μηχανισμού του clawback από τον ΕΟΠΥΥ δημιουργεί συνθήκες στραγγαλισμού της διάγνωσης, η οποία είναι ο ακρογωνιαίος λίθος για την αντιμετώπιση της πανδημίας.

Η οικονομική επιβάρυνση από την προμήθεια μέτρων ατομικών προστασίας και την τήρηση του υγειονομικού πρωτοκόλλου των ιδιωτικών ιατρείων και εργαστηρίων είναι δυσβάσταχτη για τους αυτοαπασχολούμενους ιατρούς.

Η ΠΦΥ εξακολουθεί να “δυσπνοεί” εν μέσω πανδημίας

Για το Διοικητικό Συμβούλιο

Η Πρόεδρος Ο Γενικός Γραμματέας

Άννα Μαστοράκου Δημήτριος Οικονόμου

AHEPA Attends September 11 Remembrance

Vol. 14 Issue 37 | Wednesday, September 16, 2020 AHEPA E-News AHEPA Attends September 11 Remembrance Supreme President George G. Horiates attended the annual 9/11 remembrance at the National September 11 Memorial and a memorial service at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine. Supreme President Horiates conversed with U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney chair of the Congressional Hellenic Caucus, who greeted him at the memorial (pictured bottom right). Vice President Mike Pence and former Vice President Joe Biden also attended the ceremony. Also on September 11, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America officiated a memorial service at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine. Supreme President Horiates, several Ahepans, and Friends of Saint Nicholas officials Michael Psaros and Dennis Mehiel, attended. Supreme President Horiates introduced Archbishop Elpidophoros to surviving family members, including George and Zoe Kousoulis (pictured top right), the parents of Danielle Kousoulis, who fell victim on 9/11. "We look forward to next year with the scheduled open of Saint Nicholas National Shrine," Supreme President Horiates said. Earlier in the day, Supreme President Horiates released a 9/11 remembrance statement to convey that AHEPA "stands by the families and honors the fallen." AHEPA Releases Op-Ed: UNGA Head Is a "Genocide-Denier" AHEPA released an op-ed authored by Supreme President George G. Horiates titled, "The President of the United Nations General Assembly is a Genocide-Denier." “The UN marks its 75th anniversary with its opening session on September 15, 2020. When it gavels-in, the president who will be calling the UNGA to order will be Turkish diplomat Volkan Bozkır, a Genocide-denier," Horiates writes. read op-ed | The National Herald | Hellenic News of America District Governors College Held Supreme President George G. Horiates convened a virtual District Governors College on Sept. 12, 2020. The purpose of the event is to prepare AHEPA's district governors for the upcoming 2020-21 administrative year. They were presented with the Order's goals and objectives as well as AHEPA's many programs that serve to fulfill the organization's mission. Greece Is the Word in 2021 Athens Supreme Convention Info Released AHEPA is preparing for the 99th AHEPA Family Supreme Convention to be held in Athens, Greece, July 25 to 31, 2021. The official convention hotel will be the Hotel Grande Bretagne. Greece will be celebrating the bicentennial of its independence in 2021 and the AHEPA family will be there to join in the celebration! See you there! learn more AHEPA Mobilizes against Turkey's Provocations In a September memo to organizational leaders, Supreme President George G. Horiates provided instruction for Ahepans to mobilize against Turkey's provocations. Turkey has escalated tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean to dangerous levels not seen since 1996 through violations of international norms and international and U.S. law, Horiates writes in the memo. "Turkey’s actions are not only illegal, but they are not in the best interests of the United States and place lives unnecessarily in harm’s way," Horiates states. The memo recaps actions taken by AHEPA to address Turkey's provocations and how Ahepans, and by extension, the community, can help going forward. "We stand ready to assist you with this most important mobilization to address this pressing matter that threatens NATO ally, Greece; strategic partner, Cyprus; and U.S. interests in the region, overall," Horiates concludes. Mobilization Tool Kit Memo to AHEPA Leaders Template Letter to Public Officials Talking Points Boycott Turkey Info Sheet AHEPA Emergency Relief Fund Opened for Natural Disasters AHEPA has opened its Emergency Relief Fund to provide assistance to the victims of the wildfires that are devastating California and Hurricane Laura, announced Supreme President George G. Horiates. “The California wildfires and Hurricane Laura have caused widespread devastation affecting thousands of people,” Supreme President Horiates said. “Our thoughts are prayers are with communities impacted by these natural disasters, and we must do our part to help and make an difference for those in need. We urge our AHEPA chapters, members, and supporters to provide assistance through our Emergency Relief Fund as we have done traditionally when natural disasters strike or most recently in response to COVID-19.” Supreme President Horiates has made the following appeal: Each chapter to donate a minimum $250 to the Emergency Relief Fund (a 501(c)3 donation), and For chapters and/or individuals to secure one (1) $500 donor from the community-at-large  AHEPA established the Emergency Fund 15 years ago. Since its inception more than $1 million has been donated from the fund to those affected by national disasters. read more Donate to the AHEPA Emergency Relief Fund In Remembrance: September Events of 1922, 1955 During September, AHEPA reflects and remembers the catastrophic events of September 1922 (the burning of Smyrna) and September 1955 (the Istanbul Pogrom) and shares the following articles, journal pieces, and other resources with our audience for a more in-depth historical perspective and additional insight: International Association of Genocide Scholars: The Istanbul Pogrom of 6-7 September 1955 in the Light of International Law Article: September 6-7, 1955: Krystallnacht in Constantinople (The Pappas Post) Article: Locals commemorate pogrom against Greeks and Jews in Turkey in 1955 (The Jerusalem Post) Must Read: The Mechanism of Catastrophe: The Turkish Pogrom Of September 6 - 7, 1955, And The Destruction Of The Greek Community Of Istanbul by Speros Vryonis, Jr., Ph.D. Must Read: The Blight of Asia by former U.S. Consul General to Smyrna George Horton Article: September 10, 1922: The Martyrdom of Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Smyrna (The Pappas Post) Article: New York Times Recounts 'Turkish Atrocities' in Smyrna 1922; Testimony Based on American Doctor's Account (The Pappas Post) Must Read: Harper Collins Book About An American Minister Who Saved 250,000 Greeks from Smyrna Fire in 1922 (on Amazon)  AHEPA Cares and it shows: A note of gratitude for your philanthropy AHEPA prides itself on the strength of its chapters and members. With more than 400 chapters worldwide, AHEPA provides community service at the grassroots. In fact, AHEPA has been described as providing “boots on the ground” - a reference to our members and their valuable work in the communities. Working hand-in-hand with local and state community service groups, AHEPA excels at providing relief when times get tough. During this unprecedented time, the COVID-19 pandemic has AHEPA mobilized once again. Our support for the health care heroes on the front lines who are making sacrifices to attend to those infected by coronavirus is resolute. Supreme President George G. Horiates has been spearheading efforts to encourage our chapters to donate or volunteer time and energy to provide assistance. With the spirit of community service at the core of their mission, we are proud our chapters have responded superbly with safety as a priority. Ahepans are going to supermarkets (with appreciation to our grocery workers too) to buy food for those in need. They are visiting area hospitals and delivering food to the doctors and nurses who are in harm's way and to the elderly and the homeless. Ahepans are also donating blood. The AHEPA family is working together to provide assistance around the world. #AHEPACares and it shows. We salute our members for their outreach. We can take pride we are fulfilling our founding fathers' vision of a community service fraternity. Supreme President Horiates thanks the AHEPA chapters that are practicing philanthropy and for sending us inspirational photos and stories. We applaud look forward to seeing more of our Order's great works! We encourage districts and chapters to engage in philanthropic and community service acts and please submit your good works to AHEPA Global Headquarters. Please remember to do so responsibly, according to government guidance, and above all else--safely! The list (below) is what we know at the time of distributing this edition of AHEPA e-news. AHEPA’s list of chapters that are playing a significant part in the communities they serve worldwide is unmatched…and will go on… Donate to the AHEPA Emergency Relief Fund Download & Distribute AHEPA Cares Flyer THANK YOU! Chapter 1 Atlanta, Ga. - Donated lunches to the first responders of Emory Decatur Hospital Chapter 3 Birmingham, Ala. – 100 meals donated to Children’s Hospital of Alabama Chapter 25 Manhattan, N.Y. – Meals donated and funds raised for ventilators Chapter 26 Philadelphia – Brother Dr. Theoklis Zaoutis is actively advising Greece's Ministry of Health on COVID-19 Chapter 40 Detroit/District 10, Michigan – $15,000 donated to Detroit-area churches Chapter 59 Canton, OH - Donated N95 masks and fed elderly in housing project Chapter 64 Harrisburg, Pa. – Brother Dr. Chronis providing medical analysis for COVID-19 and the chapter donated $1,750 to four central PA food banks to feed families in need Chapter 69 Cherry Hill, N.J. – 200 meals donated to Virtua Hospital and other area hospitals Chapter 72 Trenton, N.J. – 280-plus meals an 80 face masks delivered to three major hospitals in Central N.J. Chapter 78, Merrillville, Ind. – Donated $17,000 to charities that assist and provide relief to victims of COViD-19 Chapter 80 Worcester, MA - Donated meals to staff of Holy Trinity Nursing Center Chapter 88 Warren, OH - Donated meals to Mahoning County for Developmental Disabilities Chapter 94 Chicago, IL - Donated funds to the Greater Chicago Food Depository to feed 5,000 persons Chapter 95 Wilmington, DE - Donated 200 meals to the community Chapter 98 New Haven, CT - Established a relief fund Chapter 110, Norwich, Conn. – Presented a $1,000 grant to fund the Backus Hospital's Mobile Outreach Van Chapter 113 Dayton, OH - Donation of over 650 sandwiches to the House of Bread Chapter 121 Pawtucket, RI - Fundraising for COVID-19 Treatment by Dr. Thomas Walsh and supporting Pawtucket Soup Kitchen Chapter 145 Denver, CO – Donated and served meals to hundreds of first responders and homeless. Delivered thousands of face masks to the city and county of Denver Chapter 156 Canonsburg, PA. – Donated $2,000 to feed 400 area families Chapter 157 Calumet, IN – Meals, masks, gloves and hand sanitizer donated to the community's front line heroes Chapter 158, Poughkeepsie, NY – Provided lunch to first responders upon city's reopening Chapter 186 Astoria, NY - Served 150 meals and delivered another 35 meals to the community at-large Chapter 219 Phoenix, AZ – Donated N95 face masks to essential workers Chapter 250, New London, CT. – Ahepans donated and delivered meals to residents of five elderly housing communities Chapter 319 Port Jefferson, NY– Secured & donated 1,000 masks and 3,000 pairs of gloves for the community Chapter 326 Flushing, NY – Presented scholarship grants to 3 students while adhering to social distancing and guidance Chapter 408 Wilmington, NC– The board of AHEPA 408 Senior Apartments donated "Care Bags" with essential items to the residents. Face masks and thermometers donated to St. Nicholas. Chapter 411 Anaheim, CA – Helped distribute 2,700 produce boxes and 900 non-perishable food boxes to 461 cars and eight trucks (the trucks distributed the food to other parts of Orange County), feeding more than 10,000 persons. Chapter 445 & Sons of Pericles 290 Upper Darby, PA – Delivered food to the ER dept. at Jeanes Campus Temple U. Hospital Chapter 489 New Port Richey, FL – Donated meals to elderly residents at AHEPA 489 Apartments Chapter 500 Greenlawn, NY – Held a food drive that amassed 400 lbs of goods to benefit the area shelters Chapter 515 Radnor, PA – Donated and delivered 100s of meals for healthcare, ER & admin staff at Inova Alexandria Hospital Chapter 517 Holmdel, NJ - Donated funds to local hospital Chapter 545, Middletown, NY – Raised $2,000 to provide financi