Minister of Labor and Social Insurance Niki Kerameus highlighted three major challenges facing the European labor market during her intervention at the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO), held in Luxembourg. Niki Kerameus addressed three critical challenges currently shaping the European labor market — specifically the skills mismatch, major technological shifts, and challenges related to health and safety at work.
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Niki Kerameus: The skills mismatch and the role of artificial intelligence
On the issue of skills mismatch, the minister pointed out that Europe is facing a significant skills mismatch, a shortage of qualified workers, and mounting demographic pressures — challenges that are being further intensified by the rise of artificial intelligence. “We need to train people better, earlier, and based on data,” said Niki Kerameus, clarifying that “in Greece, we use a labor market needs diagnostic mechanism to develop targeted vocational training programs tailored to specific market demands.”
At the European level, she stressed the need to “invest more in the European Skills Observatory, map skills needs, ensure the interoperability of national forecasting mechanisms, and align vocational education and training with international demands.”
On the subject of technological change, the minister noted that artificial intelligence offers significant potential for boosting productivity, driving innovation, and strengthening competitiveness. “The challenge we face is to unlock this potential — to maximize the benefits of automation and Artificial Intelligence — while at the same time safeguarding workers’ rights. The Quality Jobs Act should evolve the legislative framework in order to promote transparency and human oversight across the broader labor market,” she said.
On workplace health and safety, the minister emphasized that European safety standards must keep pace with the evolving conditions of modern work environments, placing the health and well-being of workers at the center of policy priorities.
“All workers should have the opportunity to develop their skills, know their rights, and feel safe and respected in their workplace. This is what the Quality Jobs Act must guarantee — not just on paper, but in practice, for every worker across Europe,” the minister concluded.
