Greece launches employment program for unemployed people aged 55 and over
Greece’s Public Employment Service (DYPA) has received legal approval to launch a new employment program aimed at supporting unemployed people aged 55 and over, following the publication of the relevant decision in the Government Gazette.
The decision completes the necessary legal procedures for the implementation of the initiative, which is expected to help thousands of older unemployed citizens return to the workforce while addressing staffing shortages in public institutions and local authorities.
Rodopi MP Özgür Ferhat welcomed the development, stating that the publication of the decision demonstrates the significance of the parliamentary question he previously submitted to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security regarding delays in launching the program.
Ferhat had raised concerns in Parliament over the postponement of the initiative, calling for the necessary legal framework to be completed and for the implementation process to begin without further delay.
In his parliamentary intervention, Ferhat noted that thousands of unemployed people aged 55 and above were waiting for the program to start, while municipalities, hospitals and other public institutions were facing serious personnel shortages.
He argued that the initiative should be implemented quickly in order to both reintegrate unemployed citizens into the labour market and strengthen public services.
Ferhat also requested information from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security regarding the publication date of the Government Gazette decision, the timeline for applications, the procedures for institutional applications and recruitment, as well as the social and objective criteria that would prioritize long-term unemployed individuals, low-income families and citizens approaching retirement age.
Following the publication of the decision, the program is now ready to move forward. Authorities expect it to contribute to the employment of thousands of citizens over the age of 55 while helping public organizations and municipalities address workforce shortages.
Commenting on the issue, Ferhat emphasized that unemployment remains one of the most significant challenges in the region, adding that the program carries particular importance for Rodopi.
He called on the Ministry of Labour and DYPA to launch the application process as soon as possible and complete recruitment procedures without unnecessary delays.
