Corruption costs Greeks millions

petty corruption in the public sector is costing Greeks millions of euros a year, an international watchdog says.

Transparency International said yesterday that a nationwide survey for 2011 found smaller bribes were asked for and paid, reducing the estimated cost to €554 million from €632m the previous year. Hospitals, tax offices and offices issuing construction licenses are deemed the most corrupt.

The watchdog said 7.4 per cent of households reported corruption incidents in the public sector last year, up from 7.2 per cent in 2010.