Pavlos Marinakis emphasized today that “the government’s goal is to create even more and better-paid jobs”.
“Within the last five years, more than 500,000 new jobs were created, while unemployment is now at its lowest level in 15 years, i.e. at 9.4%”, pointed out the deputy minister to the prime minister and government representative Pavlos Marinakis when informing political editors.
Pavlos Marinakis reiterated that the government’s goal is to increase the minimum wage to 950 euros by the end of the 4th year, adding that its reduction will now be prohibited by law.
The introductory statement of Pavlos Marinakis
In detail, the introductory statement of the government representative, Pavlos Marinakis, in the briefing to the political editors stated:
“At this time, the event for the presentation of the National Strategy for Regional and Local Development for Argolis is taking place, in the presence of the Prime Minister.
Argolis is the 3rd station of the National Strategy for Regional and Local Development, after Evros and Zakynthos. In Argolis there are opportunities, but also challenges, which require a new model of common regional planning with the cooperation of the government, the Region and the municipalities. The result of this cooperation, which will continue in the next period, is the Local Development Plan of Argolis, which is presented today in Nafplio and which constitutes a joint commitment to cooperation for the priorities of the region.
It includes infrastructure and policies with guaranteed funding, while indicative interventions that were prioritized and require greater maturity for their implementation in the next period and the cooperation of all involved are also presented. A total of 534 million euros are spent in Argolis, of which 440 million in infrastructure projects and the 94 million in business aid.
After the presentation of the new productive model for the productive transformation of the economy, the Ministry of Development announced the approval of 271 investment projects throughout Greece, with a total budget of 858 million. euro.
The approvals concern two cycles of tourism consisting of 162 investments and one of manufacturing, consisting of 109 investments of the Development Law of 2022. Businesses will receive 224 million. euros as a grant and another almost 178 million euros will be tax exemptions.
These investments are expected to create more than 4,000 new jobs. Special support is given to Thessaly, which has been affected by “Daniel”, Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, while tourist investments are satisfied to a very large extent, both in Crete and in the South Aegean, where most requests were submitted. In accordance with the commitments, all investment projects of Evros Prefecture were approved. Similarly, in the rest of the country, investment plans were approved that will contribute to their further development.
The government’s goal is to create even more and better-paid jobs, especially in sectors with prospects and potential for development, both for the domestic economy and for the workers. Already within five years, 500,000 new jobs have been created, female and youth unemployment – two critical indicators – have decreased by 10% and 16% respectively, while overall unemployment has reached a 15-year low of 9.4%.
Marinakis for a minimum wage increase
In recent years there has been a significant increase in the minimum wage from 650 euros in 2019, to 830 today and with the target, as we have committed, of 950 euros in 2027. This translates into a total increase of 46.2% from 2019 with parallel reduction of insurance contributions by 6 percentage points until 2027.
According to the European Directive that will now be incorporated into Greek Law, from 2028 the minimum wage is proposed to be determined through a mathematical formula that will take into account inflation, especially for households with the lowest incomes, as well as the increase in productivity of the economy, based on corresponding indicators that will be created by the Hellenic Statistical Authority.
This means that, as prices increase and the productivity of the Greek economy improves, so will the minimum wage.
The new minimum wage setting system enhances transparency, objectivity and worker protection in specific ways:
1. Security: It is provided that the minimum wage cannot be reduced.
2. Link to the economy and even more social criteria especially for the vulnerable: The level of the minimum wage is linked to real economic figures, ie inflation and productivity.
3. Transparency and reliability: The amount of the minimum wage is based on objective data from ELSTAT.
4. Coverage of civil servants: For the first time, the protection of the minimum wage is also provided for civil servants. In addition, by consulting the social partners, but also by being informed about the new minimum wage, we enable businesses, and especially small and medium-sized ones, to be able to do long-term planning.
The Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection is proceeding with continuous payments every week to immediately implement the increased advance payment for 86% of the state aid for affected businesses and farmers. So far, the process has been completed for 17,046 businesses and farmers, an advance corresponding to approximately 158.5 million. euros, after the floods of 2023 and which can reach up to 400,000 euros per business or farm.
With the continuation of the data flow, aid to businesses and agricultural holdings in Thessaly, as well as the other regions affected by the extreme flooding of September 2023, is proceeding immediately.
The Minister of National Defense, Nikos Dendias, attended the ceremony of handing over the shipboard Command of the European Operation “ASPIDES” to the Greek Commander-in-Chief Konstantinos Pitikakis. The “ASPIDES” operation is the largest-scale operation ever undertaken by the European Union and its implementation is fully compliant with International Law and the International Law of the Sea.
In addition, Mr. Dendias visited the SPETSAI frigate as part of its participation in the European Operation “SHIELDS” and emphasized in his statements: “It is a moment that confirms the role that our homeland wants to play. The role it wants to play in ensuring the safety of navigation and in ensuring the observance of the principles of International Law and in particular the International Law of the Sea”.
At the Council of Ministers that met on Thursday, October 31, the Minister of Education, Religion and Sports Kyriakos Pierrakakis, the Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni and the Minister of the Interior Theodoris Livanios presented legislative initiatives for the School of Performing Arts, the Schools of Higher Art Education and the Music Educational Institutions .
Greece acquires university-level education in the performing arts for the first time.
With the bill that has been presented, decades of outstanding matters concerning:
- The upgrading of artistic education.
- Grading of degrees.
- The creation of an “academic corridor” between the Higher Schools of Artistic Education, the Music Educators
- Institutions and Universities.
- The restructuring of professional qualifications, especially in the case of employment in the State, with the creation of a new branch
- Artistic Education. Specifically, the draft law provides for:
- The establishment and operation of the Higher School of Performing Arts (ASPT) as A.E.I., with five Departments coming from the existing Schools of the National Theatre, the National Opera, the State School of Orchestral Art , of the State Theater of Northern Greece and the State Conservatory of Thessaloniki.
- The transformation of public and private Schools of Higher Artistic Education into Higher Schools of Artistic Education (A.S.K.E.).
- The grading of the degrees awarded by the ASKE and the equivalence of the degrees of the Music Educational Institutions (MEI) at level 5 of the National Framework of Qualifications, with the simultaneous creation of an “academic corridor” that will connect the A.S.K.E. and the M.E.I. with the HEIs of the country for the acquisition of Level 6 titles of the E.P.P. with qualifying exams or independent ranking.
- The affiliation of A.S.K.E. under the supervision of the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports with the aim of the uniform regulation of the framework that governs them, the approval of the study programs, as well as their general operating regulations and internal regulations.
- The creation of an artistic qualification book, which will regulate the qualifications for hiring performing arts graduates in public sector bodies as a distinct category of staff (Artistic Education – KE).
Marinakis for the Mitsotakis program
Today, Monday, November 4 at 17:00, the prime minister will meet with the general secretary of AKEL, Mr. Stefano Stefanou. Tomorrow, Tuesday, November 5, Kyriakos Mitsotakis will visit the President of the Republic, Mr. Katerina Sakellaropoulou as part of regular monthly updates.
According to iefimerida, on the same day the prime minister will meet with His Holiness and His Beatitude the Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and all Africa, Mr. Theodore II. On Wednesday, November 6, Kyriakos Mitsotakis will attend the event of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the presentation of the National Plan for the Greek diaspora. On Thursday, November 7, the prime minister will travel to Budapest, where he will participate in the work of the Informal European Council.”
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#Lowering #minimum #wage #prohibited #law
**Interview with Pavlos Marinakis on Greece’s Employment Progress and Economic Developments**
**Interviewer**: Thank you for joining us today, Mr. Marinakis. It’s great to hear about the progress Greece has made in boosting employment. You mentioned that unemployment is at its lowest level in 15 years. Can you elaborate on how this achievement was accomplished?
**Pavlos Marinakis**: Thank you for having me. Indeed, our unemployment rate has dropped to 9.4%, a significant improvement. Over the past five years, we’ve created more than 500,000 new jobs. This outcome is a result of strategic government initiatives, investments in key sectors, and collaboration with local authorities.
**Interviewer**: You also discussed plans to increase the minimum wage to 950 euros by 2027. How do you view this move in the context of the broader economic landscape in Greece?
**Pavlos Marinakis**: Raising the minimum wage is a crucial aspect of our strategy to ensure better-paid jobs. It reflects our commitment to improving living standards while also fostering economic growth. By linking future wage adjustments to inflation and productivity, we are ensuring that our workforce is not only compensated fairly but also protected against economic fluctuations.
**Interviewer**: With the significant investments aimed at job creation, particularly in areas affected by recent challenges like the flooding in Thessaly, how do you prioritize these initiatives?
**Pavlos Marinakis**: Our approach includes immediate support for impacted regions, such as expedited financial assistance for businesses and farmers affected by the floods. We are investing 534 million euros in Argolis alone, focusing on infrastructure and business aid. These investments are vital in revitalizing local economies and creating new job opportunities.
**Interviewer**: You mentioned a Regional Development Strategy being launched in Argolis. Can you explain what this entails and how it serves the local population?
**Pavlos Marinakis**: The National Strategy for Regional and Local Development aims to create a collaborative framework involving the government, local municipalities, and regions. In Argolis, this strategy focuses on identifying opportunities and challenges to foster sustainable development. The Local Development Plan includes well-funded projects that prioritize both infrastructure and business support, ensuring regional growth and prosperity.
**Interviewer**: Lastly, as Greece’s economy evolves, what are the key sectors you believe will drive future job growth?
**Pavlos Marinakis**: We see significant potential in tourism, technology, and manufacturing. Our recent approvals of investment projects in these sectors are anticipated to generate over 4,000 new jobs. By nurturing these sectors, we can foster a resilient and diverse economy that benefits all citizens.
**Interviewer**: Thank you, Mr. Marinakis. It’s encouraging to see the steps being taken towards a better economic future for Greece.
**Pavlos Marinakis**: Thank you for having me. We are excited about the path ahead and remain committed to enhancing the livelihoods of our citizens.
