In discussing the collective labor agreements bill that has been put to public consultation, the minimum wage increase, as well as agricultural issues and Maria Karystianou, Labor and Social Insurance Minister Niki Kerameus spoke on Thursday afternoon, January 15th on Parapolitika 90.1 radio show “She and I” with Thanasis Fouskidis and Stella Gantona.
When initially asked about Maria Karystianou, Ms. Kerameus replied: “Anyone has the right to create a party. But we want to hear their political positions. I believe that Greek citizens, when they go to the polls, want to know the positions of a party, as well as the people who comprise it.”
Kerameus: I don’t remember another government doing so much for farmers
Regarding agricultural issues, Ms. Kerameus said: “Farmers had legitimate demands, there were delays, but 20 out of 27 of their demands have already been satisfied. I don’t remember another government doing so much for farmers. We are open to dialogue, which is why the prime minister will meet with farmers again.” “Their demands are absolutely legitimate, but a prerequisite for dialogue is that roads remain open,” she added.
“The collective bargaining bill is a product of the government and all national social partners”
Ms. Kerameus characterized Greece’s employment data very positively, with unemployment being the lowest in the last 17 years, noting that there was a small “thorn” which was collective labor agreements. “There has never been an agreement between government and all social partners before. This agreement, among other things, makes it easier to extend collective agreements,” she emphasized.
“It will be interesting to see what stance opposition parties will take, because if they don’t vote for the collective bargaining bill, it means they will go against all social partners,” Ms. Kerameus added, emphasizing once again that the bill is a product of the government and all national social partners.
On minimum wage
According to Ms. Kerameus, Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ goal is for the minimum wage to reach 950 euros by 2027. “We have initiated the process for increasing the minimum wage, which will result from discussion with social partners.”
On the program for women’s employment
Regarding the new program to boost women’s employment with 10,000 job positions, the minister said it targets all unemployed women and interested businesses can apply from tomorrow on gov.gr. “We subsidize businesses that hire women. That is, if a business applies and hires a simply unemployed woman, we will subsidize 70% of the salary and contributions combined. So we subsidize 70% if we’re talking about an unemployed woman and the subsidy goes to 80% if we’re talking about a woman who is long-term unemployed, meaning two years or more, or a woman with a child,” she explained.
On ERGANI II
“ERGANI II comes after 13 years, to implement bureaucracy reduction. On February 16, ERGANI I disappears,” Ms. Kerameus emphasized.
On pensioners
According to the minister, at this moment, we don’t need to intervene in retirement age limits.
On abolishing personal difference
Regarding the abolition of personal difference, Ms. Kerameus said all pensioners see increases. “A year and a half ago it was impossible to do and we finally managed it with two reforms – POS and the digital work card – that increased fiscal space.”
