There are currently thousands of Greek men and women who resort to choosing a second job in order to cope with the ever-increasing cost of living.
Official figures estimate them at 122,375 people. However, as most cases go unreported, the true number is estimated to be much higher.
With rent prices derailed, with the prices of basic goods skyrocketing daily, with the cost of electricity and heating bills hitting the red, a second job is not just a way to supplement income, but an imperative today for thousands of families.
THE Anna and Constantine are a couple living in Nice, having moved from Thessaloniki to Athens five years ago. Anna is 32 years old and Konstantinos is 38.
“I work in the call center of a company that sells hearing aids and my partner works for a pharmaceutical company. Our total income from both jobs reaches 1,400 euros.
In recent years and as the situation around us has developed, we are also forced to work in the evenings in a company that undertakes catering for various events. Basically we work like waiters. We definitely work every weekend at this company, but also during the week as many days as we need” says Anna speaking to “Vima”.
“Our incomes from morning jobs do not allow us to make ends meet. For the rent alone we paid 400 euros until last year and for a year now we have been paying 500. Our most important expenses, apart from the rent, are the electricity bills, the supermarket and petrol because Konstantinos’ work is in Agios Stefanos and, as you understand, his moving expenses are very high».
Liabilities
As Anna explains, even with the additional income from the second job, they barely manage to cope with their obligations.
“And of course I don’t need to tell you that it doesn’t even cross our minds, at least not yet, to have children and a family. I see the struggles my sister faces raising two children and I really don’t know how she manages it.
That is why many of our friends have already left abroad and I will not hide from you that it is a thought that often crosses our minds. If we didn’t have Konstantinou’s mother, who is elderly and with serious health problems, we would probably have left too» he says characteristically.
“I’m gone all day”
The Lady Marina B. she is 46 years old and is raising her daughter alone who is in the 3rd Lyceum this year and is preparing for the Panhellenic exams.
“I work from nine in the morning until five in the afternoon in a mini market. Then I come home, cook for the evening and the next day and at seven I’m back at work looking after an old lady until 11 when the night exclusive comes.
On the weekend I work the second job all night as the exclusive one gets the day off. I’m away from home all day. I really miss having free time for my daughter, but unfortunately it is impossible.
Especially last year and this year our expenses are increased as the child has to attend tutoring. Unfortunately, I don’t have much help from my ex-husband, as he is unemployed most of the time».
Prices are going up
As Mrs. Marina notes, even with two jobs it is very difficult for them to make ends meet.
“I shudder to think if the child goes to a school outside of Athens and has to rent a house in some provincial town» he emphasizes. And for Mrs. Marina the basic expenses that absorb most of her income are rent, bills and the supermarket.
“I have the impression that the prices are going up every day. Every time I go to the supermarket I see higher prices and I leave with less shopping. Besides, my daughter is now at an age where she cares about dressing up or going out with her friends. He must have a pocketbook. The child cannot be ashamed to order a sweet because she has no money in her pocket» he adds.
Undeclared
As mentioned above, the majority of those who work a second job do so without officially declaring it. The recent labor law gives the possibility of multiple employment of an employee within the same 24 hours to more than one employer, however only a small percentage of those who have a second job declare it.
Thus, the second job, in addition to being devastating, also increases the insecurity of the workers who live with the constant anxiety that they can lose it without anyone to protect them.
