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The real unemployment percentage in Greece is almost twice as big as the one reported by the national Statistics Services. Unemployment rate continues to increase and according to Labor Minister Andreas Loverdos, during the last two months this percentage has reached the record 18%-20%. Spain has the same unemployment rate and until not the country was among the countries with highest unemployment in the EU. In order to try and solve the problem and the open more workplaces, the Ministry of Labor is planning to give out €600 million for programs, which will help protect workplaces and open new ones.

Mr. Loverdos said that together with Economy Minister Louka Katseli, they have decided to review the plans, which will support private companies that want to preserve workplaces for their employees; support unemployed people and to start volunteer programs. The Minister said that €600 million have been tied to protect workplaces within the framework of development program ESPA. Also Minister Loverdos said that in January a new bill will be introduced for flexible form of employment and in February the Labor Revision Services will be started.

The Labor Minister made all those announcements during a session of the Public Companies for Public Use Commission, under which are the National Telecommunications Company, National Electricity Company and Greek Posts. During this meeting a new leader was chosen for the Employment and Labor Force Organization – Iliyas Kiklias. The new chairman of ELFO said that he will concentrate on the financial support programs for paying social security, which will motivate private companies to hire young and older people, who are unemployed.

On the other hand chairman of the oppositional parliament coalition SIRIZA Alexis Tsipras asked the government to present a plan for the politics it believes it will undertake in order to provide quality eight hour workday. Mr. Tsipras noted that the highest unemployment rate is in Eastern Macedonia, Thrace and Central Macedonia.