Greece will become the first European Union country to officially introduce a 13-hour workday in the private sector, giving factory workers, cashiers and hotel staff longer shifts, Politico reports.
The vote in parliament has sparked widespread protests. Despite growing opposition from unions and opposition parties, the bill is expected to be supported. Since coming to power in 2019, the center-right government has overhauled the labor market, calling it the most flexible in Europe. From July 2024, workers in manufacturing, trade, agriculture and some service sectors will be able to be asked to work six days a week. Working on the sixth day will earn them 40% more pay. This is a marked contrast to the general trend in Europe, which is looking towards a four-day workweek.
Greece was hit by its second general strike in a month on October 14, and unions are demanding the new regulations be scrapped. Public transport and public services were shut down during the protests. The ADEDY union, which represents public sector workers, said flexible working hours would in reality mean abandoning the standard eight-hour workday, destroying family and social life and legalising forced labour.
The new regulations stipulate that 13-hour days can be worked for up to 37.5 days a year, and that the number of hours worked per week cannot exceed 48 hours. However, the 40-hour workweek will be maintained, and overtime will have to be better paid. The labour ministry has said that the 13-hour workday will be voluntary and no one is forced to agree to it. Meanwhile,
unions have said that the employer has more say in this case,
especially in Greece, where workplace inspections are not carried out.
Greece’s economy has begun to recover from a long financial crisis that began in 2009. The unemployment rate, which was 28% during the crisis, fell to 8.1% in August this year, which is still higher than the European Union average.
However, Greek wages are among the lowest in the bloc, meaning many Greeks are forced to work two jobs to cover rising costs, especially those related to housing. One in five Greeks works more than 45 hours a week.
Greek Labor Minister Niki Keremeus supports the new regulation, saying it will revive the private sector. She said in a television interview that it is not about working 13 hours a day, but a maximum of three long shifts a month. In addition, the employee will have to give his or her consent. The minister has repeatedly stressed that an employee cannot be fired if they do not agree to the rules, and
with the lowest unemployment rate in 17 years, workers are in a good position.
Meanwhile, opponents of the bill have pointed out that the government is creating chaos in labor law, increasing feelings of insecurity, and disrupting the work-life balance.
Labor market experts have said that the new regulation will essentially legalize violations committed by employers. Employee representatives have also condemned the bill.
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