PM Samaras Describes New Employment Support Programs

After concluding a meeting with Labor Minister Yiannis Vroutsis, Samaras described, "programmes financed by EU funds, mainly from the NSRF...600 million euros from the new NSRF can be disbursed and given to us before the end of the year, in 2014, for the training and on the job experience of 145,000 young people and long-term unemployed".

The Prime Minister confirmed that the first effort focuses on the private sector, regarding 30,000 jobless citizens between the ages of 25 to 29, that was issued on Tuesday. This month, new positions will be disclosed for 12,000 unemployed individuals between 18 to 24 years old, while a specialized tourism effort will start in September, concerning 8,000 18 to 29 year olds seeking work, that specifically focuses on urban and winter season tourism.

The new employment support programs feature a 80-hour training period for mostly unskilled workers, along with a 6 month 450 hour internship program, along with mentorship and support options.

Samaras commented, "In September, we will launch a 200-million-euro community service programme for another 50,000 unemployed - this time long-term unemployed or unemployed households".

The Prime Minister added, "The total amount approved by the NSRF reaches 600 million and exceeds 750 million, taking into account the kindergarten programme for the new school year, namely the 2014-2015 period, and concerns 55,000 mothers and more than 68,000 children. All these programmes have been especially designed to facilitate the integration of hundreds of thousands of fellow citizens in the labour market, especially young people".

The Greek leader described, "We are doing everything to bring economic growth and investment forward and we help the people most in need to seize opportunities. We are bringing the overall growth forward, but we are also helping people to meet the challenge of development".

Labor Minister Vroutsis stated, "20 pct of the young people hired under financed programmes stay in their jobs after the expiration of the programmes...We are making use of the European funds, down to the last euro, in the best way possible so as to tackle unemployment and increase employment".