Labor Ministry

The data of the Labor Ministry's Ergani system that monitors hirings, which had shown significant growth in hirings over departures in the local labor market in the year up to end-July, are now showing a reversal in favor of departures in August, Kathimerini understands.

Pyrsos Security has shut down after 22 years in the private security sector, leaving without work some 800 employees who have also gone without pay for at least five months.

According to the Labor Ministry, the company stopped paying its creditors about a year ago, and owes 8.2 million euros in contributions to the Social Security Foundation (IKA).

Some 380 unaccompanied minors remain in closed hot spots, detention centers and even on the streets, as a program to house them in rented apartments has yet to materialize due to staff shortages and despite increased funding by the European Union, authorities said on Wednesday.

The social security landscape in Greece will change significantly once the bill tabled yesterday in Parliament by the Labor Ministry becomes law, as it contains reductions in pensions of over 1,170 euros per month, as well as to retirement lump sums and dividends, along with contribution hikes for workers and pensioners and permanent mechanisms for the reduction of benefits.

The round of talks between the Greek government and the representatives of the institutions concluded early on Tuesday morning without reaching any agreement, but recording some progress on some issues, as the Greek side said.

The range of supplementary pension cuts was the main issue of the discussion between Labour Minister Giorgos Katrougalos and the representatives of the institutions after lenders’ refusal to accept any increase in insurance contributions.

The government has met some of Turkey's major unions on March 31 ahead of major planned labor-law reforms that would allow private employment agencies to create temporary working relations. 

Labor Ministry deputy undersecretary Ali Kemal Say?n said the changes were needed to harmonize the law with directives from the European Union and the International Labor Organization.        

Turkey's Health Ministry has said it launched an investigation into allegations a drug-maker, which it did not name, secured $85 million in business advantages through bribery.

Reuters reported this week an anonymous whistleblower accused Swiss company Novartis of paying bribes through a consulting firm to secure advantages worth an estimated $85 million.

Turkey has officially put into effect a new regulation against human trafficking, as part of measures to try to stem the flow of refugees heading to Europe through illegal means.

The leadership of Labor Ministry prepares for the negotiation talks with Greece’s lenders to start on Wednesday noon aiming to save primary pensions (except high pensions) and find compromise solutions for the other demands of the ‘Quartet’, such as national pension, supplementary pension and replacement rates.