Greece has introduced a six-day work week
The scheme also flips the trend among European countries, who have been winding down the working week — with highly productive results.
How does a six-day week work?
The employee cannot work more than eight hours during the additional shift.
“It is important to note that this measure does not affect in any way the established five-day working week mandated by law,” the spokesperson said, noting it was aimed at addressing “urgent operational demands”.
The six-day week won’t apply to food service and tourism, which already have provisions for extended hours. Source: NurPhoto / Getty Images/AAP
The new scheme applies to businesses that operate 24 hours a day, for more than five days a week, and use rotating shifts.
It also includes parts of the industrial and manufacturing sector, but excludes tourism and hospitality.
Wider labour reform
Greece has one of the highest emigration rates in the EU. Over 500,000 citizens have left the country since the 2007-09 global recession that left Greece’s economy crippled, struggling with a sovereign debt crisis and unemployment levels above 25 per cent.
Greeks already work the longest hours in Europe, according to European Commission data, but are among the lowest paid.
It also promised to increase the average wage by more than 25 per cent to 1,500 euros ($2,413) in that time.
Backlash from workers
Thousands of protesters took to the streets in Athens last September before the reform package was introduced to parliament.
The introduction of a labour reform package in September 2023 met fierce opposition in Greece. Credit: Milos Bicanski/Getty Images
The bill increased the maximum daily working time to 13 hours, and allowed employers to sack workers for up to a year without warning or remuneration.
Greece’s Communist Party — KKE — called the bill “monstrous”, while left-wing Syriza said the government had a “secret agenda” targeting workers.
Greece bucks the trend
A trial in Iceland in 2021 that involved employees working fewer hours for the same pay was so successful it led to more than 85 per cent of the workforce negotiating shorter hours.
According to the World Economic Forum, the benefits of a four-day week include happier workers, less pollution from commuting and a boost in productivity.