Greek labour reform allowing six-day work week comes into force

1 Jul. () –

The legislative reform that allows a six-day work week for a total of 48 hours worked on a voluntary basis came into force on Monday, in an initiative that aims to improve productivity and attract foreign investment.

The initiative of the conservative government led by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis also aims to improve the use of qualified personnel and at the same time reduce the shadow economy. Inflation has forced many employees to look for second jobs, but the measure is intended to improve conditions with only one job.

The extension of opening hours can only be applied to certain sectors such as factories or small businesses, as well as companies that provide uninterrupted service. Tourism and hospitality are excluded.

The measure has been harshly criticised by unions as being contrary to labour rights, which they point out is contrary to the trend in other European countries such as Germany, Belgium, France, Iceland and the United Kingdom, which are proposing to reduce the number of weekly hours to below 40 or even reduce the number of days worked from five to four with shifts of ten instead of eight hours.

“It’s an outrage,” said Akis Sotiropoulos of the civil servants’ union Adedy. “It makes no sense. When almost all other civilised countries apply a four-day week, Greece decides to go in the opposite direction,” he said.