Economou: The increase in the minimum wage will be very substantial, it will boost incomes

“Within 18 months we will have a threefold increase in the minimum wage. This has never happened before in the country”, pointed out the government representative Yannis Oikonomou, in a television interview with Mega, underlining that in less than 16-18 months the third increase in the minimum wage is coming. He also underlined that this is not a pretentious move but “it will be a very substantial increase, which will boost incomes”.

Mr. Economou referred more broadly to the policies implemented by the government to improve the standard of living of society, criticizing SYRIZA and saying characteristically that “whereas in SYRIZA they look for it with videos, we with substantial policies try to give substantial solutions to the people. While SYRIZA is looking for it, New Democracy seems to have it.” He also pointed out that, from the government’s side, there is a consequence that the elections will be held at the end of the four years and reiterated that every new possibility that exists in the field of the Economy is used for the benefit of society.

Regarding the increase in the minimum wage, the government representative emphasized: “As we proved in the previous period, the increase will be such that it will be a real and substantial strengthening of the people who are paid in the lower strata. Determining the amount will depend on a number of factors. Obviously, and by the nature of the negotiation. The minimum wage is not given by the government, it is given by the market based on the economic climate, the conditions, the conditions that are created. Let the people be sure that just as the two previous increases were substantial – especially the second one, which raised the minimum wage to 712 euros – it will not be a sham move. It will be a very substantial increase, which will boost incomes. As the prime minister has said, the bet of increasing wages and incomes in our next second four-year term will be a key priority of the government. This is not only about the minimum wage, it is about the total pay in the public sector, in the private sector. The wages of Greeks must and must rise in order to converge even more with the European average.”

From the spring onwards the first electoral procedures

Regarding the elections, Mr. Economou emphasized that “the important thing is that we are consistent with what we had said from the beginning, that is, that elections will be held at the end of the four years. From the spring onwards, we had said, it is likely that we will have the first procedures. When we have an election date, the prime minister will announce it to the Greek people.

We are absolutely consistent towards Greek society, in what we have said from time to time. We will complete our work, elections at the end of the four years. It makes little difference whether the elections will be 15 days before or 15 days after. The important thing is that what we said from the beginning – that is, that the elections will be held normally at the end of the four years – we keep.”

The government implements policies that improve the standard of living of the society

Indirectly responding to a SYRIZA commercial, Mr. Oikonomou pointed out that “whereas in SYRIZA they are looking for it with videos, we are trying to give people substantial solutions with substantial policies. While SYRIZA is looking for it, New Democracy seems to have it. First of all, they have not been informed that the minimum wage is not 500 euros. The minimum wage is already 712 euros and an increase will come. I don’t know if they have been informed that within these 3.5 years, there are 270,000 new jobs, mainly for young people, that the student housing allowance for an existing problem, has gone to 1,500 euros and for those who live together to 2,000 euros. Also, that a program is already running to strengthen housing for young people, the “Shelter” program with very brave, substantial provisions. After all, the interest of public opinion and, above all, of the Greek youth is indicative. From then on with video no one was ever sheltered. He took shelter and found solutions to the essential and real needs, through political logic, through policies that with professionalism, with knowledge, with an understanding of the environment that give way to the needs and problems of the people”.

He also commented that “SYRIZA does not have a good tradition with numbers in general, much more with the minimum wage. I do not want to remind again the promises, the commitments towards the Greek society and the new generation regarding the amount of the minimum wage during his days. I don’t want to remember where we got the minimum wage and where we took it and where it will go in less than 16 months. What is essential and useful – and first and foremost young people know this – is that a dram of practice is worth a ton of theory. With actions, with policies, we provide a way out, we limit the “imprint” of crises on the lives of citizens, especially young people. We strive to cope and respond to their challenges and needs. That is exactly why the big bet of the next period is the increase in incomes and the increase in wages. This bet, however, is not won by directing. Just as the subway does not move with tarpaulins, so the houses are not located with videos. It is won with a substantial policy, with planning, with coordinated actions, such as the “Housing” program, such as the support program for students studying in other cities, such as a series of policies that have substantially improved the standard of living of the entire Greek society and the new generation”.

In Greek society there has been an issue with artistic education for many years

With reference to the meeting that was held on issues that arose on the occasion of the PD for the appointment of artists in the State, Mr. Economou emphasized: “The problem that has existed throughout time is of a different order of magnitude. In fact, in Greek society there has been an issue with artistic education for many years, which no government had bothered to open up, to deal with. It is another thing the hypocrisy or the confusion that some have tried to create, on the occasion of the Presidential Decree for appointments in the State of all artists, not in artistic positions, in any other position of administrative staff. Therefore, on the occasion of the problem that came to the surface, the government from the first moment, since there were the first reactions – I recall the meeting of Mr. Giatromanolakis and other officials with the artists and their representatives, but also yesterday in a a broad meeting at the Maximos Palace under the Prime Minister, with the participation of the Ministers of Culture, Education, Interior, executives of the General Accounting Office of the State – it was decided to essentially deal with two main issues”.

He also underlined the need to settle backlogs and different speeds in art education. “It is a very essential issue, difficult to deal with with various temporal distortions. We will discuss all possible solutions, always thinking about what partial reflexive consequences this may have in other areas, but also how a solution will be given to an essential problem that has been going on for many years, decades. Let the people of Culture know, let the artists know that, just as we basically stood by their side all the previous time, we will do the same now, realizing the problem. We are discussing bringing order to the chaos that exists with artistic properties. In order for this to happen, we will listen to people’s opinions, we will see the institutional framework as it is, through those who can appropriately show us a way, to deal with the distortions up to now, but also to see for the future” .

Whatever possibility exists is used for the benefit of society

Citing official economic data, he also said that “for the 3rd month in a row we had a deceleration in inflation. Punctuality continues to be here, to suffer, to make the economic life of households difficult. However, our country recorded the fourth largest decrease in inflation in December. Inflation is at 7.6% and the European average is at 9.2%. Also, to limit the “footprint” of accuracy in our daily lives, a number of measures are still in place. The “Household Basket”, which many have tried to downplay and discredit since its inception has succeeded. Starting next month, the “Shopping Card” will be implemented, which will subsidize 10% of basic goods purchases. Whatever new possibility exists will be utilized for the benefit of Greek society.”

RES-EMP

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