"We have a very dynamic parliamentary group that listens to society. It raises critical political issues and the role played by the parliamentary group is very important. In this case, it has touched on an issue that is indeed serious. It has to do with a very successful programme of the Public Employment Service (for unemployed aged 55 and over)," Labour Minister Niki Kerameus said in an interview with SKAI TV.

In fact, she clarified that this specific programme is aimed at unemployed people, aged 55 and over, for subsidized employment in Municipalities, Regions and Legal Entities of Public Law and helps people re-enter the labour market and establish the right to a pension.

Kerameus revealed that 32,500 positions have already been provided, while a few days ago 1,000 additional positions were provided, reaching a total of 33,500.

However, she noted that the cost of this specific programme requires significant financial resources, as it has already exceeded 800 million euros, adding that this program is not the normal way of staffing public administration organisations, but comes to support them with a temporary solution with employment for up to two years and a specific target.