The government is hoping to repatriate high-skilled Greeks who left the country seeking better working conditions during the debt crisis (2009-2018), said Labor and Social Affairs Minister Niki Kerameos.
In interviews to local media, Kerameos said the aim was to offer incentives that would attract Greeks living abroad while also offering upskilling opportunities to locals.
“With a diverse range of initiatives, we are building a bridge between Greeks working and succeeding abroad who wish to return and companies in Greece seeking high-skilled staff,” she said, adding that the labor market had now developed a strong dynamic.
In this direction, Kerameos referred to the ministry’s Rebrain Greece platform, which connects skilled job seekers with companies in Greece seeking specialized executives.
Greece is counting on the return of thousands of Greeks who will be able to contribute to the modernization of enterprises which in turn will improve the country’s competitiveness.
According to the latest data, through to August 2024, a total of 1,900 highly skilled job seekers and 200 enterprises have registered with Rebrain Greece. More than 450 job openings have been posted and 1,500 applications submitted.
“A priority for the ministry is to bring this dynamic back home,” said Kerameos, adding that “the stable and safe working environment created over the last five years, improved working conditions and the increase in salaries” were steps in the right direction. She added that unemployment rates dropped to 10% for the first time in the last 15 years reflecting the improvements.
