Unemployment has decreased from 17.5% to 9% in the last six months and over half a million new jobs have been created, Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis said on Thursday, May 1.
He added: The minimum wage has risen to 880 euros from 650 euros. And the average wage has reached 1,342 euros from 1,046 euros. The implementation of the Digital Labour Card, which is the most essential guarantee for respecting the working hours and paying overtime for employees, has been launched and expanded. Parental leave has been extended, offering real support to young families. While the Independent Authority 'Labour Inspectorate' is a tool for more effective controls. These are just some of our key initiatives."
"I am satisfied that I contributed to several of these initiatives as Minister of Labour and Social Affairs," Hatzidakis, said in his post.
"With hard work, the Greek economy is rising higher and higher, and this gives us the opportunity to implement social policy in practice. And as long as progress continues, workers will enjoy a growth dividend. Either with new, targeted tax cuts or with additional measures to boost their income. So that collective progress is reflected in every Greek man and woman. At the same time, many of the opposition’s announcements would lead to the exact opposite result: they would plunge the economy into recession and ultimately create dead ends for workers.
We have a duty to preserve the progress that has been made. To continue with seriousness the effort for more jobs and better wages. This is the most meaningful way to honor Labour Day!", the Deputy Prime Minister concluded.