A. Skertsos: Reduction of unemployment despite adversity

The safest way to a more just society with more freedom, dignity, cohesion and opportunity for all is work.

Only economic policy that manages to add new and better jobs to the economy can be considered an effective and fair policy that emancipates and empowers citizens.

So, according to the latest Eurostat data from July 2019 to February 2022, unemployment fell in 32 months by 5.3%, from 17.2% to 11.9%.

This means that thanks to the reforms implemented from 2019 until today in the economy and state – and despite the unprecedented adversity caused by the pandemic restrictions, the international energy crisis, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the consequent market turmoil – the Greek economy has succeeded to create 249,000 new jobs in 2.5 years!

These jobs concern 250,000 of our fellow citizens who have managed to get out of the unemployment spectrum to claim a better life.

While even more important is that this increase in employment concerns women and young people who traditionally face greater difficulties in finding work in our country.

Of course, no government can remain silent or declare satisfaction with -still- double-digit unemployment rates or with such low wages. Our goal should not only be to create more but also better paid jobs.

That is why it is hopeful that last year unemployment in our country marked the fastest de-escalation in Europe, and that the minimum wage will increase next month for the second time in 2022, offering a more decent income to the most vulnerable employees.

Here are the detailed Eurostat data:

June 2019

805,000 unemployed

76,000 unemployed young people under 25 years old

Unemployment of women 20.9%

February 2022

556,000 unemployed

63,000 unemployed young people under 25 years old

Unemployment of women 15.9%