Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is expected to announce new support measures for workers and businesses in sectors most affected by the public health restrictions, in an interview on ANT1 TV scheduled to be broadcast at 23:45 on Thursday.
Restrictions related to the private and public sectors were put into effect on 30 Decembe2 and remain in effect until 23 January to stem the progress of novel coronavirus infections.
Mitsotakis is expected to announce a second increase in minimum wage that will take effect as of 1 May, in addition to and higher than the raise effected on 1 January.
He said the measures will be detailed by the ministries of Labor and Finance on Friday. In addition, he revealed ANA/MPA that the food services sector (bars, cafes and restaurants) and the cultural sector (including actors) will be also supported, as they were among those most heavily affected by restrictions in attendance ratios and opening hours, especially over the Christmas holidays.
Meanwhile, Greece’s consumer price index surged to 5.1 per cent in December last year, compared to the corresponding month of 2020, as the cost of natural gas soared by 135.7 per cent, according to official data from the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) on Thursday.
The December 2020 jump follows an annual inflation rate of 4.8 per cent in November and 3.4 per cent in October.
The cost of natural gas was followed by a 45 per cent rise in electricity and a 34.1 per cent rise in the price of heating oil.