ATHENS — Labour and Social Affairs Minister Kostis Hatzidakis presented the draft law on labour protection to ruling New Democracy (ND) political committee and to trade unionists.

As the minister pointed out, "it is a bill that gives strength to the employee, offering them new possibilities and options."

He underlined that "the bill is first of all an intervention to update the labour legislation that has not changed much since 1982, when the structures of Greek society and economy were very different from today. At the same time, it is trying to address chronic labour market problems, he added.

He stressed that "the bill combines the protection of employees with the strengthening of the competitiveness of companies, so that they can act as levers for the growth and creation of new and well-paid jobs.