An attempt to lower tensions regarding the issue of labor market needs and the employment strategy for foreigners was made during yesterday’s session of the Labor Advisory Council by the Minister of Labor, Yiannis Panagiotou, informing that the dialogue will continue.
In this direction, he specifically presented data based on calculations by the Ministry of Labor regarding the need for a new workforce this year, estimating that the common understanding of the magnitudes of the needs “will help in the constructive cooperation of social partners with the state, to achieve the goals for the development of the economy and the reduction of unemployment.”
The dialogue on improving the employment strategy for foreigners, which has sparked strong reactions from the labor movement since last year, will continue in the coming days.
However, clarifications were requested yesterday regarding the numbers and the relevant note provided to the members of the Labor Advisory Council.
In general, the Ministry of Labor’s action does not seem to have satisfied the unions, as we have learned that there were observations from their representatives, mainly from the side of trade union PEO, that the numbers for the market needs were never their main objection, reiterating the demand for the implementation of collective agreements for all workers from third countries as well as the need to reinstate the technical committees.
However, this is strongly rejected by the employers’ organizations, as it became apparent yesterday, estimating that such a development would reintroduce bureaucracy into the processes of licensing foreign personnel.
At the same time, trade union SEK, as we are informed, denounced violations of the existing strategy regarding its provisions and by employers for violating collective agreements.
The intention of the minister for changes to the decree for students from third countries also seems to have provoked reactions from the unions.
Regarding the numbers presented yesterday by the Minister of Labor, information from Phileleftheros reports that the needs for new work permits for third-country nationals this year are estimated by the ministry to range from approximately 4,000 to 6,000.
This is because part of the needs, estimated to be larger than 4 to 6 thousand due to the expansion of the economy and the “removal” of about 5 thousand asylum seekers from the labor market, approaching 12 thousand, will be covered by community members and the unemployed.
With the number of needs for new permits close to the number of new permits issued last year and in 2022 when the technical committees were operating.
Specifically, based on the data provided yesterday by the Ministry of Labor, in 2022, 5,108 new permits for personnel from third countries were approved, and 8,643 were renewed, while last year, 4,941 new permits were approved, and another 7,287 were renewed.
Yesterday, there seemed to be a meeting on the bills providing for an increase in maternity leave and allowance for the first child from 18 to 22 weeks.
The relevant bills are expected to be presented at the next meeting of the Council of Ministers and subsequently in Parliament for voting.
Regarding the issue of the proportional reduction of 12% for early retirement, Yiannis Panagiotou mentioned that the members of the Labor Advisory Council were informed about the proportional evaluation of the proposals submitted and exchanged views on the next steps, announcing developments on the issue within the next few weeks.
“As the social dialogue (referring to the issue of the proportional reduction for early retirement) is soon to be completed, I want to express my optimism for developments within the next few weeks, which can lead to results that will positively affect thousands of retired fellow citizens,” he said.
