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The Agora => Greek News => Topic started by: Maik on Friday, 05 July, 2019 @ 03:48:43

Title: Low wages, long hours
Post by: Maik on Friday, 05 July, 2019 @ 03:48:43
Quote
For Greeks, burgeoning gig economy means low wages, long hours

When he set up his own business washing boats and cars on the Greek island of Skyros nearly a decade ago, 42-year old Nikos Vourliotis was a young man with dreams and aspirations.

Then the reality of Greece’s austerity regime kicked in. A stipulation by debt-laden authorities that he should pay his annual tax bill upfront killed the business. Now, he has joined the growing ranks of Greeks in a precarious “gig economy” working long hours for low wages and no job security.

“For now, I can only think of the present,” said the father-of-two after delivering burgers and souvlaki by moped in the coastal Athens suburb of Glyfada.

“When you have two children, you are forced to look at your present to make sure that you meet your obligations, that you don’t have debts.”

In August, Greece will mark the first anniversary of being free from the close financial supervision of lenders whose 280- billion-euro ($316-billion) lifeline kept the country afloat for nine years after a debt crisis brought it to its knees.

Even now, millions of Greeks face unemployment or low-paid jobs and worsening working conditions. No wonder jobs are a key battleground in the campaign ahead of Sunday’s general election.

One in two young people in Greece are unemployed.

As part of European Union-prescribed reforms aimed at making the economy more competitive, Greece in 2012 allowed flexible wage contracts to pay workers the minimum possible, abolished collective bargaining and curtailed powers of trade unions.

Vassilis, a 24-year-old university graduate who has been delivering food for two years, is paid by the hour and earns roughly 300 euros a month - less than half the official minimum wage of 650 euros. He relies on tips to boost his income and, like many Greeks his age, cannot afford to live on his own... he makes no plans for the future.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-greece-election-labour/for-greeks-burgeoning-gig-economy-means-low-wages-long-hours-idUSKCN1TZ205
Title: Re: Low wages, long hours
Post by: Maik on Sunday, 07 July, 2019 @ 00:19:46
Quote
Greek debt crisis: 'I wasn't paid for two years'
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-48845145