Labor Ministry

Greek emergency services battled a massive wildfire threatening Athens for a third day on Tuesday as two firefighting planes and a helicopter sent by Türkiye joined efforts to fight the blazes.

The Greek labor market registered a record in January-June with 339,208 new jobs, while the balance was also positive in the month of June, when hirings outnumbered layoffs for a fifth consecutive month, resulting in the creation of 23,961 new jobs.

The minimum monthly salary in Greece stood at 650 euros before the current government came to power and has now increased to €830, Deputy Labor & Social Insurance Minister Vassilis Spanakis noted in an interview with Skai radio on Wednesday.

Authorities are eager to see young, highly qualified professionals who chose to move abroad to work in the years of the financial crisis return to Greece. And private companies say they are eager to hire them.

The Labor Ministry has created an online platform, "Rebrain Greece," to help match professionals willing to return home with potential employers.

A new incentive and reward system for public sector employees was presented by the Interior Minister Niki Kerameus and Deputy Interior Minister Vivi Charalampogianni during the Ministerial Council meeting Monday. 

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis marked the increase of the minimum wage, which came into effect on Monday, with a visit to the Sun (Ilios) spice factory in Rentis, Piraeus.

The Labor Ministry will grant social security capacity to approximately 100,000 self-employed people with small debts to the Single Social Security Entity (EFKA) - from a few cents to 100 euros.

Discussions are underway this Sunday for the new minimum wage increase, effective April 1.

Initiated on February 5, the process involves consultations scheduled to conclude by March 22, presenting recommendations to set the minimum wage. 

This marks the fourth consecutive increase by the government, from 650 euros in 2019 to €780 in April 2023. 

As the government mulls over simplifying labor legislation in Türkiye, media reports are discussing the potential reduction of working hours. However, despite signals of change, concrete action is yet to be taken.

How strong is the Greek economy, really? Whatever may have been said, there are some safe criteria by which to assess its state. It is only as strong as the labor market, the jobs created and the wages offered.