There must have been a massive chemtrails attack recently otherwise I have no logical explanation for this “crazy idea” – to say it politely. According to a proposal tabled by the Center of Economic Research Planning (KEPE), an official advisory body to Greek Labor Ministry, minimum wage and unemployment allowances for Greek labor forces up to 24 years old should be abolished, the unemployed young Greeks should work for one year without salary and then migrate abroad.
In this idiocy-infused proposal, it is also recommended that after the work year, the unemployed youth should be exported to other countries. Possibly, incentives to Greek companies operating abroad should be offered in order to hire these Greeks, because “companies in Greece do not have the potential to recruit neither now nor in the near future,” according to the reasoning of the Center.
The proposal came from Ioannis Cholezas, economist and director KEPE which is the advisory body of the Greek government on issues related to economic development and labor market.
Youth unemployment is currently at 57.9 percent.
I would add another proposal: the measure to motivate companies to hire labor forces should be extended to all ages and all sectors, incl the public sector. I. Cholezas should make the difference and start working without salary. Also his children, his wife, his relatives and friends. Only then Greece can experience real development and growth and happy labor forces 🙂
UPDATE Speaking to Skai TV Ioannis Cholezas tried to explain his proposal that shocked not only the Greek society and the political world but also PM Samaras’ lawmakers.
Cholezas said that work without salary would solve the problem of youth unemployment if the minimum wage defined by labor law was abolished and it was up to employer and employee to arrange the work payment:
“Nowadays, youth without work experience have two options: either to work in the black market [without insurance and social security] or not at all, because many businesses cannot pay them. If the minimum wage [restriction] is abolished, employer and employee can make their own arrangements and it will be up to the employee to decide to work for a year without salary in order to gain working experience.”
“These are my own personal views,” Cholezas added trying to escape the sharp criticism and avoid the responsibility as director of KEPE.
Prokopis Pavlopoulos, Nea Dimokratia MP and lawyer, told him that his proposal was “against the Greek constitution in particular and the EU guidelines in general as both set a minimum of of preconditions for labor. “Did you consult with any lawyer before making such a proposal?” Pavlopoulos asked Cholezas who replied with …silence.
Also present at the tv panel was SYRIZA MP Dimitris Papadimoulis who warned that “abolishing laws on minimum wage would bring the labor market into collapse” and thus in times of an already suffering labor market.
Skai-magazine presenter invited Cholezas to talk thoroughly about his proposal on upcoming Monday, but Cholezas answered “We’ll see…”
Possibility is high, that we will never hear from Cholezas again… who will keep earning his salary from hungry tax payers’ money.
PS if you thought ‘neo-liberalism’ was bad, wait to see its further development… at least slaves used to get a meal and a bed to sleep.
PS2: correct names: KEPE not KEPA, director is Ioannis Cholezas, not Cholevas as reported earlier.
More madness! how about making it much easier to start and run a small business, such as; a benevolent taxation system and income related TEVE payments at an affordable rate!! for a start. Small businesses are the economic engine of a country.
certainly they are, but “development & growth” are not included in the austerity loan agreement with the Troika lenders. In general: all discussions about dev+gro are needless and useless.
Idiocy to the heist degree I am sad to say.