K. Hatzidakis: The significant reduction in unemployment, a practical answer to those who try to nullify the work of the government

After the announcement of ELSTAT’s data on unemployment in June, which recorded a decrease to 12.1% from 12.5% ​​in May 2022 and from 15% in June 2021, the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Kostis Hatzidakis, underlined that “today’s official ELSTAT data on unemployment is another response to those who irresponsibly seek to nullify the work of the government in the field of economic and social policy”.

Referring to ELSTAT data, the minister noted that “unemployment fell to 12.1%, i.e. more than 5 percentage points compared to what we received from SYRIZA (17.3%). Even more important is the fact that it fell by 3 percentage points compared to June last year (15%). Youth unemployment is also escalating, while overall unemployment is back to 2010 levels.”

As Mr. Hatzidakis characteristically said, “of course we are not celebrating all of this. We note them to answer the nihilistic criticism, but also to show that the government’s economic and social policy is in the right direction and is producing results. The lower taxes and lower insurance contributions encouraged investment and therefore the creation of new jobs. The same applies to the facilitation of licensing, but also to the labor law 4808/21 which strikes the right balance between supporting the competitiveness of businesses and protecting workers. I note , also the significant contribution of the programs of the Public Employment Service (DYPA), the rates of which tripled compared to the period before 2019”.

Concluding, the labor minister said that “it is particularly important that this positive news is combined with the confirmation today by the European Commission that Greece is exiting the so-called post-memorandum supervision and returning after 12 years to European normality. It was the result of significant work and reforms , in which the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs had a special participation”.