Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis made a post on social media on the occasion of today’s May Day.

“For us, today, is an opportunity to highlight all that we have achieved in practice for workers,” he said, adding:

Within 6 years, Unemployment fell from 17.5% to 9%, and over half a million new jobs were created. The minimum wage has risen to €880 from €650. And the average wage has risen to €1,342 from €1,046. The implementation of the Digital Job Card has been launched and extended, which is the most essential guarantee for the observance of working hours and the payment of overtime to workers. Parental leave was extended, offering real support to young families. While the Independent Labour Inspection Authority is a tool for more effective controls. These are just some of our key initiatives. I am pleased to have contributed to several of these initiatives as Minister of Labour and Social Affairs.”

Full post:

For those who have learned to speak only in slogans, today is another occasion for big words and wooden slogans. For us, it is an opportunity to highlight all that we have achieved in practice for working people. And not a few! Anyone who wants can refute any of the following!
Within 6 years, Unemployment fell from 17.5% to 9%, and over half a million new jobs were created. The minimum wage has risen to €880 from €650. And the average wage has risen to €1,342 from €1,046. The implementation of the Digital Job Card has been launched and extended, which is the most essential guarantee for the observance of working hours and the payment of overtime to workers. Parental leave was extended, offering real support to young families. While the Independent Authority “Labour Inspection” is a tool for more effective controls. These are just some of our key initiatives. I am pleased to have contributed to several of these initiatives as Minister of Labour and Social Affairs.
With hard work, the Greek economy is climbing higher and higher, and this enables us to put social policy into practice. And as long as progress continues, workers will enjoy a dividend of growth. Whether through new, targeted tax cuts or additional measures to boost their incomes. So that collective progress is reflected in every Greek. At the same time, many of the opposition’s grandiose announcements would lead to the exact opposite result: they would plunge the economy into recession and ultimately create deadlock for workers.
We have to preserve the progress that has been made. We must continue in earnest to work for more jobs and better wages. That is the most meaningful way to commemorate Labor Day!