Greek Jobless Rate Threatens Government

Greece’s record 27 unemployment rate – which some analysts said could soon hit 30 percent – could even undermine the government if social unrest increases because 60 percent of the jobless have been out of work for more than a year and have no benefits, the head of research at the Foundation for Economic and Industrial Research (IOBE) said.
Aggelos Tsakanikas told SKAI TV on April 2 that Greece’s unemployment rate, which has soared as the country enters its sixth year of recession, raises the risk of political and social turmoil, saying that “in other parts of the world double-digit unemployment has brought down governments.”
Tsakanikas added that those who’ve been out of work for more than a year as harsh austerity measures are closing companies will find it even more difficult to get a job as some analysts have said they may never re-enter the work force and are becoming even more desperate.
“Older members of the unemployed workforce are not prepared to take jobs with low pay, while joblessness is also high among those with higher education,” said the research chief of the Athens-based think-tank. He urged young unemployed people – among whom the jobless rate is above 67 percent – to show initiative and explore ways of starting their own businesses rather than waiting for employment that may never come.
Meanwhile, the Labor Ministry launched an orientation and employment scheme for jobless people aged 18 to 29, which includes 80 hours of orientation classes and five months of training that could lead to a subsidized position. The scheme foresees jobs for a total of 35,000 applicants. Applications can be submitted from April 15 to May 22.