A/HRC/25/50/Add.1 80,000 to 120,000 public sector workers had already lost their jobs at the time of the Independent Expert’s visit. As a result, unemployment grew from 7.3 per cent in June 2008 to 27.9 per cent in June 2013,46 the highest in the European Union (see figure below). There are around 1.4 million unemployed people in Greece; about 778,000 persons lost their jobs during the period 2010-2013 alone. Further lay-offs in the public sector are planned. Youth unemployment reached an unprecedented rate of 64.9 per cent in May 2013 (compared with an average of 24.4 in the euro zone).47 Thus, the prospects of a significant part of the population to access the job market and for securing an adequate standard of living have been compromised. 45. In addition, the labour market reforms under the adjustment programme have undermined the realization of the right to work. Together with successive wage cuts and tax hikes, the reforms have failed to achieve the stated goal of promoting secure growth and employment. Conversely, they have resulted in massive lay-offs, a deterioration in labour standards, increased job insecurity and widespread precariousness, with over-flexible lowpaid jobs, where women and young people are predominant. The minimum wage has been pushed below poverty thresholds and has, to a large extent, lost its function as a tool for poverty alleviation.48 In addition, more than 120,000 professionals – including doctors, engineers and scientists – have emigrated since 2010.49 46. It may be contended that this situation is at odds with the obligation of the State under article 22(1) of the Constitution to protect the right to work and to create conditions of employment for all citizens. 46 47 48 49 Hellenic Statistical Authority, Labour Force Survey June 2013, press release, 12 September 2013,available from www.statistics.gr/portal/page/portal/ESYE/BUCKET/A0101/PressReleases/A0101_SJO02_DT_MM _06_2013_01_F_EN.pdf. Hellenic Statistical Authority, Labour Force Survey May 2013, press release, 8 August 2013. The reduction of the national minimum wage by 32 per cent to €426.64 for workers below 25 years violates their right to a fair remuneration, given that it should be above the poverty line in any given country defined at 50 per cent of national average wage, and that the lower minimum wage for young workers violates the principle of non-discrimination. See Council of Europe, Committee of Ministers, Resolution CM/ResChS(2013)3 (https://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc.jsp?id=2029587&Site=CM). See “Brain drain: 120,000 professionals leave Greece amid crisis”, Spiegel Online International, 10 Arpil 2013. Available from http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/unemployment-and-recessionin-greece-lead-to-brian-drain-a-893519.html. 13