Labor Minister Niki Kerameos commented on Alexis Tsipras’ “Ithaca,” noting that she has not read the entire book, only the excerpts that have been published.
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As she mentioned, from those specific parts she retained two key points: “First, I find shocking the manner and lightness with which he describes incidents that brought the country one step before disaster. Only because the agreement was voted on in August ’15 did we ultimately avoid the worst.”
“The images of people in ATM queues for 60 euros, the gasoline issue, the 120 billion euros that burdened the country, remain fresh. You cannot narrate with such ease events that threatened to dissolve our economy. On the other hand, it serves as a reminder of everything we experienced, so we never see it again. The Greek people don’t deserve such experiences,” she emphasized speaking on Mega.
“Mr. Tsipras refers to the past, while New Democracy speaks about the present and future. In 2027, when the next elections take place, we will be judged on what we implemented after the 2023 elections,” she added.
Niki Kerameos: “DYPA’s administration reacted immediately,” she said about the maternity benefit suspension
Regarding the issue with mothers and the sudden suspension of maternity benefits: “It was brought to our attention Friday evening, by Saturday it was resolved. DYPA’s administration reacted immediately. I consider it important that there are reports from citizens.”
“The 250 euro boost was implemented one week earlier, the credits have already been made to accounts. This is the first of 4 measures coming these weeks. The second is pension increases that will be raised by 2.4%, which will be paid in December, before Christmas. Third, the gradual abolition of personal difference for January pensions, we have a 50% reduction of remaining personal difference from 2026 and abolition in 2027. Fourth, the new tax rates benefit retirees as well.”
“We subsidize work, not unemployment”
On employment programs and job subsidies: “We subsidize work, this is a philosophical change. We subsidize work, not unemployment. We want a society of workers. So, we go and give impetus to our fellow citizens who are unemployed as a priority. Priority to unemployed mothers, to long-term unemployed, to fellow citizens living on minimum guaranteed income.”
“A program of 50,000 new jobs. There are categories of citizens who have problems finding work. We subsidize the job position that a business will open to hire an unemployed mother. For six months we pay the person in question 704 euros net for 6-hour employment with paid contributions. We do this for six months because we want to give a boost and we obviously want them integrated into the labor market,” she added.
Moreover, she continued saying: “A new program is being prepared for unemployed mothers with children up to 15 years old. Ten thousand positions, 5,000 part-time and 5,000 full-time. Traditionally in our country we have high female unemployment. It’s approximately the basic wage, it’s a program ranging from 9 months and up.”
