A recent article by The Guardian has sparked political controversy in Greece, portraying what it describes as a labor market crisis and linking it to alleged mass legalization of undocumented migrants. The Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum has firmly denied the report, labeling the claims as “inaccurate, baseless, and misleading.”
Published on May 5, the article alleges that the Greek government has “legalized 30,000 undocumented migrants” as a way to address severe labor shortages in the tourism and hospitality sectors ahead of the summer season. It highlights the growing difficulty in finding staff for restaurants and hotels, as well as the increased efforts by employers to recruit workers from third countries.
In an official statement, the Ministry dismissed the claims, stressing that no such mass legalization process exists.
“There is no mass legalization of tens of thousands of migrants ‘through the back door,’” the Ministry stated, describing the reporting as a fabrication propagated by “well-known left-leaning media outlets.”
The Ministry reiterated that any such suggestions are “completely detached from reality”, and emphasized that Greece’s migration policies remain structured, legal, and transparent.
The Guardian article has triggered a wave of political reaction within Greece, as it connects labor market challenges with migration policy—an issue that remains politically sensitive in the country.
Would you like a shortened version for social media or headlines?
