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Greece Enacts Controversial Labor Legislation Authorizing Longer Working Days in Specific Cases
Government Building
Greece's legislature has approved a contentious labor reform that permits 13-hour work shifts, in the face of widespread opposition and nationwide strike actions.
The administration claimed the measure will update the country's labor regulations, but critics from the progressive faction described it as a "legislative monstrosity."
Key Provisions of the New Labor Law
According to the newly enacted legislation, annual extra hours is capped at 150 hours, while the regular forty-hour week stays unchanged.
Officials insists that the longer shift is voluntary, only applies to the business sector, and can only be implemented for up to 37 days each year.
Political Backing and Opposition
Thursday's ballot was backed by lawmakers from the ruling conservative political group, with the centre-left faction – currently the primary resistance – voting against the bill, while the progressive group abstained.
Worker organizations have staged multiple protests calling for the law's repeal this month that halted transportation and public services to a standstill.
Government Defense and Employee Safeguards
The Labor Minister supported the bill, claiming the reforms bring in line national legislation with current labor-market conditions, and accused opposition leaders of misleading the public.
These regulations will give workers the option to take on additional hours with the current company for 40% higher pay, while ensuring they cannot be dismissed for refusing overtime.
This complies with European Union working-time regulations, which limit the mean workweek to 48 hours counting extra hours but allow flexibility over 12 months, as stated by the administration.
Critical Viewpoints and Labor Reactions
However, opposition parties have accused the government of weakening employee protections and "pushing the country back to a medieval work era." They say Greek workers currently work longer hours than the majority of EU citizens while receiving lower pay and still "struggle to make ends meet."
The public-sector union stated variable shifts in reality mean "the abolition of the standard workday, the destruction of personal time and the authorization of excessive labor."
Previous Workplace Reforms and Financial Background
In 2024, the country enacted a six-day work schedule for certain industries in a bid to boost economic growth.
Recent legislation, which came into effect at the start of July, allow employees to work up to 48 hours in a workweek as opposed to 40.
EU Work Data and National Economic Indicators
- Across the EU in the previous year, the highest average hours were observed in the Hellenic Republic, then Bulgaria (39.0), Poland and Romania.
- The shortest work hours in the bloc is in the Netherlands, as per Eurostat.
- Starting January 2025, Greece's national base pay was €968 a month, placing it in the bottom group among EU countries.
- Joblessness, which had reached a high at 28% during the economic downturn, was eight point one percent in August compared with an EU average of five point nine percent, figures from the statistical office indicate.
- Greece is recovering since its prolonged debt crisis, which concluded in 2018, but wages and quality of life remain among the lowest in the European Union.
Margaret Houston
A dedicated writer and theologian passionate about sharing faith-based insights and fostering community connections.
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