Latest figures show that 27 percent of Greece's workforce are unemployed, with youth unemployment reaching 62 percent, the highest in the European Union.

The conservative government says it is focusing on jobs rather than austerity. The new figures suggest that the economy may have created 38,000 more salaried jobs in March and April than it eliminated.

Greece's finance minister said on Thursday the economy will start to recover next year.

Al Jazeera's John Psaropoulos reports from Athens.