ATHENS – "The government's measures for enterprises are inadequate and those for labour are in completely the opposite direction to what society needs," stated main opposition SYRIZA sector-head for labour issues Effie Achtsioglou, in an interview on Monday with RealFM. She noted that the government's plans are creating an "explosive mix" in the labour market as employees are effectively given three choices: dismissal, a regime of subsidised unemployment or a 20 pct salary cut.

"The government is insisting on the returnable advance, which excludes many small- and medium-sized enterprises, while even for those that receive it, it's only a loan that increases private debt at a time when enterprises need liquidity that allows them to open and operate.

Achtsioglou slammed the model of rotating shifts combined with salary cuts as a lose-lose proposition for all involved, pointing out that it "does not help companies with the so-called payroll and non-payroll cost, employees lose 20 pct of their salary and the state has to subsidise them."