kathimerini.gr
Greece Sees Sharp Rise in Full-Time Employment in 2024
During 2024, Greece experienced a 77,800 increase in full-time employment, reducing self-employment without staff to 19.8% and part-time employment to 6.3%, driven by factors including tax changes, financing difficulties, and increased full-time job availability.
- What is the significant change in Greece's employment landscape in 2024, and what are its immediate consequences?
- In 2024, Greece saw a significant shift toward full-time employment, with 77,800 new dependent jobs added. This contrasts sharply with previous years and reflects a notable qualitative change in the labor market. The number of self-employed individuals without staff decreased to 19.8% of the total, nearing European averages.
- What factors contributed to the observed decrease in self-employment without staff and the increase in full-time employment?
- This trend, noted in previous years and confirmed by the Center for Planning and Economic Research (KEPE), shows increasing full-time employment and decreasing part-time employment. Factors like business risks, loan access difficulties, and tax changes drove many self-employed individuals to seek full-time jobs. The rise in full-time positions reached 3.021 million in 2024, the highest since 2008.
- What are the potential long-term implications of this employment shift, considering both positive and negative aspects for the Greek workforce?
- The shift reflects changing employment composition, aligning with other European countries where self-employment is less prevalent. Increased full-time job availability and limited financing options prompted a move towards secure full-time private sector jobs over entrepreneurial risks. The increase in full-time positions (75,700) versus a decrease in part-time positions (8,100) indicates a further decline in part-time employment (6.3%), a positive trend according to KEPE.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the shift towards full-time employment as a positive trend, emphasizing the increase in full-time jobs and the decrease in self-employment. This framing might downplay potential downsides of this shift, such as increased job insecurity or reduced work-life balance for some individuals. The use of phrases like "safe choice" and "positive development" to describe full-time employment reinforces this positive framing.
Language Bias
The language used in the article is generally neutral and objective, relying on statistical data and quotes from experts. However, the repeated positive framing of the increase in full-time employment and the characterization of part-time employment decrease as a "positive development" might subtly influence the reader's interpretation of the data. The use of the term "closed their notebooks" might be slightly loaded, as it implies a sense of finality and defeat for self-employed individuals.
Bias by Omission
The analysis focuses primarily on the shift towards full-time employment and the decrease in self-employment, potentially overlooking other contributing factors to this trend, such as changes in government policies or the impact of technological advancements on the job market. While the article mentions difficulties in accessing loans and tax changes affecting the self-employed, a more in-depth exploration of these factors could provide a more comprehensive understanding.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat simplified view of the employment landscape by mainly focusing on the dichotomy between full-time employment and self-employment. It doesn't fully explore the nuances of part-time employment or the potential reasons why individuals might prefer part-time work, despite the reported decrease in this sector. The framing of the decrease in part-time jobs as a "positive development" might not adequately acknowledge the potential negative consequences for some individuals.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article reports a significant increase in full-time employment and a decrease in self-employment, indicating progress towards decent work and economic growth. The shift towards full-time positions suggests improved job security and potentially higher earnings for workers. The reduction in self-employment, while potentially driven by economic factors, also reflects a change in the employment landscape that may lead to greater stability and social protection for a portion of the workforce. The increase in full-time positions also contributes to economic growth by boosting consumption and overall productivity.