Greece's Minister for Migration has announced plans for a major regularization program to address labor market demands despite an increase in illegal arrivals. The program will target undocumented migrants and those with expired residence permits.
Similar to Italy's 2020 reform, the proposal will be discussed at a national security meeting chaired by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The aim is to boost public revenue and address labor shortages in sectors like agriculture, construction, and tourism.
The labor shortages have impacted major public projects, including the construction of a subway system in Thessaloniki and a new airport in Crete. The government wants to transition undocumented labor into the formal sector, bringing them from undeclared to declared work. This will be done through employment taxes and contributions. The minister emphasized that the plan does not intend to encourage further illegal migration but aims to improve the labor market situation and financial contributions.
The announcement comes as Greece deals with an increase in migrant arrivals from Turkey, particularly at the eastern islands. To manage the rising arrivals, Greece is seeking emergency financial assistance from the European Union. The regularization program seeks to address the labor market's pressing needs and improve the overall situation for migrants and the country's economy.
