Kerameus: Unemployment rate approaching lowest levels in Greece's history

Unemployment in Greece is now at the second-lowest level it has ever been since records began, at a rate of just 7.5%, Labour and Social Security Minister Niki Kerameus said in an interview on SKAI television on Friday.

"Unemployment has declined to 7.5%, which is the second-lowest figures for unemployment ever recorded in the history of the country. The lowest unemployment rate that has ever been recorded - ever since we started measuring, obviously - is 7.3%. Therefore, we are skirting the lowest rates of recorded unemployment in the country's history," she said. The minister emphasised the monumental importance of this figure, noting that "more than half a million citizens who were not working in 2019 are now working."

"I put this simply. The philosophy of this government is to subsidise employment, to help our fellow citizens stand on their own feet, get a job, create and care for themselves and their families," Kerameus said. She also highlighted the decline in unemployment among women, pointing out that this fell to single-digit figures for just the second time in history: "The first time was last year, when we reached the point where women's unemployment fell below 10% for the first time. Yesterday women's unemployment was below 10% for a second time, at 9.9%. There was also a very significant reduction of unemployment among young people."

On the general unemployment rate, Kerameus pointed out that this declined from 9.4% in December 2024 to 7.5% at present, stressing that this "does not just happen on its own, it comes about based on the programmes we have generated for employment. We subsidise work positions for young people, women, we hold 'Career Days'." She noted that more than 10,000 people visited the recent 'Career Day' held in Peristeri, either seeking a job or a new position.

Responding to comments by the opposition parties and sections of the media regarding the deadly accident at a biscuit factory in Trikala, she noted that workplace accidents were reported by the Labour Inspectorate, which was an independent body, using the same rules and framework as all other European Union countries. She queried various higher figures for workplace accidents reported in the media, saying it was unclear how these figures had been arrived at. Based on the detailed figures released by this independent authority, she added, labour accidents in recent years have hovered around 45, 46 and 42 per year, remaining stable even though there are 500,000 additional employees in that time, though, as she added, "even if there is only one fatal workplace accident, this is a tragedy."

Kerameus also noted that the ministry had brought a bill containing many health and safety laws just two months ago, including requiring safety technicians and work doctors to put recommendations in writing and other measures.

On the Labour Inspectorate and whether this was understaffed, she noted that 90% of its permanent positions were now filled, with 57 employees and 36-37 inspectors for the Thessaly Region, while the number of inspections had increased by 35% in the last five years. She also noted the existence of the 1555 phone line, where anyone could report problems anonymously.