For the first time it will be legislated that the minimum wage which cannot be reduced, only increased, the Minister of Labor emphasized to SKAI 100.3, Niki Kerameos referring to the new way of calculating the minimum wage that will apply from 2027 onwards.
He even made it known that out of the 27 EU states, 22 have a statutory minimum wage. He noted that in total by 2027 the minimum wage will reach 950 euros, which means an increase of at least 50%.
The minister also emphasized that there is an overall increase in wages in our country, while referring to unemployment, she noted that in the last six months, unemployment fell by another unit and after many years we went back to a single digit rate. He emphasized that the majority of jobs are full-time.
Referring to the Disability Certification Centers, she noted that the list of irreversible diseases was recently expanded so that citizens do not need to go again and again to get certification, while she said that the number of doctors giving opinions has more than doubled from 500 to 1,200.
Regarding pensions, he said that 95% of outstanding pensions have been issued. As he said, now 1250 main pensions are issued per day from 500 that were issued in the past, and the average time of awarding the pension is 60 days.
Finally, regarding the auxiliary documents, he explained that they are delayed because many are based on handwritten tabs and an effort is being made to digitize them. As he said, if everything is digitized, there will be cases where a pension can be issued within 10 minutes.
Source: skai.gr
#Unemployment #single #digits #minimum #wage #pensions
**Interview with Niki Kerameos, Minister of Labor**
**Editor:** Welcome, Minister Kerameos. It’s a pleasure to have you here. Let’s start with the new minimum wage legislation you mentioned. Can you explain what this means for workers in Greece?
**Kerameos:** Thank you for having me. This new legislation is significant because it ensures that the minimum wage can only be increased, not reduced. By 2027, we aim to establish a minimum wage of 950 euros, which represents a 50% increase from current levels.
**Editor:** That’s a substantial increase. Many argue that raising the minimum wage can help boost the economy and reduce poverty. What are your thoughts on the potential economic impacts of this policy?
**Kerameos:** Absolutely, raising the minimum wage is an investment in our workforce and the middle class. As minimum wage workers earn more, they can spend more, driving demand for goods and services. This creates a positive cycle for economic growth.
**Editor:** On the topic of employment, you mentioned a decrease in unemployment to a single-digit rate. How do you believe the rise in the minimum wage will affect this trend?
**Kerameos:** A higher minimum wage can attract more individuals into the workforce, especially as job markets become more competitive. This encourages full-time employment and could lead to further reductions in unemployment.
**Editor:** There’s a rich debate surrounding the minimum wage. Some argue that raising it could result in job losses or increased costs for businesses. How would you address these concerns?
**Kerameos:** It’s important to recognize that while there might be short-term adjustments, many studies indicate that overall job creation often offsets potential losses. Additionally, businesses can benefit from a more stable and motivated workforce.
**Editor:** with the new minimum wage policy in play, what other measures are you considering to ensure sustainable economic growth?
**Kerameos:** We are focusing on comprehensive wage increases, digitization efforts within our pension systems, and enhancing support for those with disabilities. These initiatives collectively aim to create a more robust economy and better quality of life for all citizens.
**Editor:** Thank you, Minister Kerameos. With such sweeping changes proposed regarding minimum wage and economic adjustments, what do you think our readers believe: Will these adjustments genuinely uplift the working class, or could it inadvertently lead to economic challenges for businesses? Let’s spark that debate.
