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Greek unemployment rate hit record high in May | Greek unemployment rate hit record high in May |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Greece's unemployment rate hit another record high in May of 27.6%, according to the country's statistics body. | Greece's unemployment rate hit another record high in May of 27.6%, according to the country's statistics body. |
The figure, from the Hellenic Statistics Authority, compares with a jobless rate of 23.8% in May last year. | The figure, from the Hellenic Statistics Authority, compares with a jobless rate of 23.8% in May last year. |
Among those in the labour market aged 15-24, the rate is 64.9%, as Greece sees its sixth year of recession. | |
The news emerged ahead of a meeting between Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and US President Barack Obama in Washington. | The news emerged ahead of a meeting between Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and US President Barack Obama in Washington. |
At the meeting, Mr Obama commended the Greek government for taking steps to reduce its debt pile. | At the meeting, Mr Obama commended the Greek government for taking steps to reduce its debt pile. |
But he urged Mr Samaras to balance austerity with measures to promote growth and boost jobs. | But he urged Mr Samaras to balance austerity with measures to promote growth and boost jobs. |
Greece has seen a 25% drop in output since 2007. | |
Public anger | Public anger |
It has been the worst affected of eurozone economies and was the first to receive an international bailout in May 2010. | It has been the worst affected of eurozone economies and was the first to receive an international bailout in May 2010. |
The country was given another 6.8bn euros last month from the European Union, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Central Bank. | The country was given another 6.8bn euros last month from the European Union, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Central Bank. |
The money has strict conditions attached which demand that government debt levels are reduced. | The money has strict conditions attached which demand that government debt levels are reduced. |
That has meant deep job cuts, tax increases, and reductions in wages and pensions. | That has meant deep job cuts, tax increases, and reductions in wages and pensions. |
However, more austerity measures are being demanded. | However, more austerity measures are being demanded. |
At the time the latest loan money was secured, the IMF said that Greece must deliver "rapidly on structural reforms to unlock growth and create jobs". | At the time the latest loan money was secured, the IMF said that Greece must deliver "rapidly on structural reforms to unlock growth and create jobs". |
The government's actions so far have prompted widespread public anger and protests, which have sometimes turned to violence. | The government's actions so far have prompted widespread public anger and protests, which have sometimes turned to violence. |
Last week, figures from the official eurozone statistics agency reported that Greece's unemployment rate was 26.9% in June, compared with a eurozone-wide figure of 12.1%. | Last week, figures from the official eurozone statistics agency reported that Greece's unemployment rate was 26.9% in June, compared with a eurozone-wide figure of 12.1%. |