Positive balance with 23,961 new positions created in June, the system recorded Toolbut significantly lower than the corresponding figure of 28,761 a year ago. Despite the record number of new jobs registered in the half-year, the figures showing a marginal prevalence of full-time contracts are worrying for June of jobwith a recovery in flexible forms of work, reversing the situation seen in the first five months of the year. The reason probably lies in the age group where the most new jobs were created (40,910), which is the 15 to 24 age group. Essentially, the employment flows in the private sector for June show that young and older workers were preferred, many of whom accepted part-time work, therefore with lower salaries, indicating seasonality. It is also surprising that, although new jobs were registered for men (34,150), in the same month there was a decrease in jobs for women (-10,189).
The numbers show that this year there was much less hiring (340,736) compared to last June (357,931). The difference of 17,195 fewer jobs overshadowed the 12,395 fewer layoffs this year, in the same month, compared to last year.
However, at the six-month level, the situation for private sector employment flows appears to have improved. This year, 339,208 new jobs were created, 34,290 more than the 304,918 registered in the corresponding period last year. The result for the first half of this year, based on data from the Ergani system, appears to be the best recorded since 2001.
Of course, the 23,961 new jobs created in June are far from the 126,660 in May or even more than the 132,352 in April. But they show that the job market, after the numerous hires in the two specific months due to the start of the summer tourist season, is finding a balance, largely maintaining the gains. However, after the negative sign in January (-31,997 jobs), the following five months have evolved steadily.
However, the outlook for contracts is limited. Full-time employment ranks first with 172,580 hires (50.65%). On the other hand, part-time work registered 135,720 hires (rate of 39.83%), while rotational work registered another 32,436 (rate of 9.52%).
By gender, Ergani data shows that among men, hiring (191,020) covered layoffs (156,870) and thus resulted in a positive balance of 34,150 jobs. However, the same did not happen for women, as hiring (149,716) was lower than layoffs (159,905), resulting in the loss of 10,189 jobs in June.
By age group, the largest share was achieved by young people (15-24 years old), for whom 40,910 new jobs were created. However, an inverse trend was recorded in the two immediately following age groups, which encompass the country’s greatest productive potential. More specifically, in the 25-29 age group, the Ergani system showed that 3,983 jobs were lost in June. Even worse for the 30-44 age group, where a loss of 15,344 jobs was recorded during the same month. Essentially, it seems that young people, of working age, were preferred, in contrast to older people, in terms of age. If this element is combined with the employment contracts that were concluded, it seems that in June young workers with part-time contracts, who are clearly cheaper compared to older workers, who work full-time, cost more…
In terms of activity, the largest number of new jobs was registered, as expected due to the summer, in the restaurant sector (+33,890), followed by accommodation (+25,780). On the contrary, there was a large loss in education (-63,678 jobs), as a result of the end of the school term.
By specialty, the leadership in new jobs (+28,433) belongs to waiters, waitresses and bartenders, followed by salespeople and cashiers (+9,006 jobs), as well as cooks and grill chefs in hotels and restaurants (+8,500 jobs).
By region, Attica recorded a negative balance (-23,107 jobs), which was, however, adequately covered by recruitment in more touristic destinations. Thus, South Aegean (+15,703 jobs), the Ionian Islands (+8,536 jobs), Central Macedonia (+7,472 jobs) and Crete (+6,939 jobs) moved in a positive direction in June.