Greece Introduces Six-Day Work Week

After facing 15 years of economic challenges, Greece is planning to enforce a six-day work week starting July 1. This decision reflects a major shift in labor laws, where collective agreements are paused and many workers have individual contracts. While the official weekly work limit remains 40 hours, employers can now ask employees to work up to two additional unpaid hours per day for a period, promising more free time in return, though this arrangement is often not voluntary.

Compared to other European Union (EU) countries, which have set rules like a maximum 48-hour work week and at least four weeks of paid vacation annually, Greece already has some of the longest working hours in Europe. Greek workers currently average 41 hours per week, which is more than the EU average of 37.5 hours for adults aged 20-64.

Greece’s decision has sparked discussions about whether longer work hours can solve economic challenges and its impact on workers’ lives. It also raises concerns about how these policies align with broader EU labor standards and their implications for workers’ rights and well-being.

As Greece moves forward with these changes, it highlights ongoing debates across Europe about how to balance economic needs with protecting workers and promoting a healthy work-life balance.

Re-reported from the article originally published in FIRSTPOST.