Exploring the impact of employment policy measures in the context of crisis: The case of Greece

The article addresses the economic, social and political dimensions of the Greek work-welfare nexus in the context of the recent financial crisis. Explaining the main social protection and activation measures before and during the crisis (a reduction in salaries and in the purchasing power of employees partnered with unemployment benefits, contribution subsidies for employers, training and work-practice vouchers, and fixed-term quasi-employment in community services), analysis is offered of the impacts of these. The article concludes that employment measures in Greece are not only residual and inadequate to meet the needs of the unemployed but have not curbed rising unemployment rates.