Political parties and syndicates all over Europe were triggered for mass protest actions after the European Commission made a suggestion that “temporary unemployment” should be applied as a measure to avoid the mass release of workers phenomenon. In March, the European syndicates are planning to arrange in Brussels a protest against the measure suggested. The biggest Greek syndicate of the private-sector employees is also participating in the protest.

In this relation, the solution proposed by Konstantinos Mihalos, the chairmen of the Athens Chamber of industry and commerce, to shorten the working week to 3 or 4 days, or shrink the working day together with wage lowering, is up for discussion again. Mihalos also added that the sacrificed financial resources could be topped up by the Unemployment fund for a 6 to 12-month period, specifying that this measure is only meant to be used by firms on the verge of closing down.

The private sector occupants’ syndicate took a firm stand on opposing any such decisions, claiming that the country’s economy needs financial funding and employment support. This could be achieved by redistributing current resources yielding in this way extra resources that can be used. “In the USA those areas receive a funding of 3% of the GDP, while in Greece- only 0,7%!

The Minister of labor and social affairs Fani Petralia announced that Greece will not be disregardful to the laws protecting workers’ rights and that the results aimed are for the workers to keep their places, as well as, for new work places to be created through improving the qualification and employment programs.

At the same time the private employees’ syndicate demands that the government ceases letting out workers and planning salaries reduction. In addition, Minister Petralia was addressed by the syndicate with a request in regard to the companies receiving public subsidies. It suggested that during the crisis those companies should not be allowed to release their employees or force them to take time off. The syndicate has also set forth requirements for measures in relation to the unemployed, the underpaid and the retired.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the partnerships and enterprises coalition, Dimitris Daskalopoulos, has accepted the syndicate’s invitation for a meeting scheduled for next week, on which a discussion on the crisis-caused unemployment will take place. According to the latest data of the National Statistical Institute, unemployment in November has risen with 7,8%. Daskalopoulos responded that “unemployment is indeed rising, affecting everyone; however, it should be clear is that employees letting out comes as a last resort rather than an impulsive decision.”