In a significant shift from the global trend towards shorter work weeks, Greece has enacted a law allowing for a six-day work week for certain businesses starting July 1, 2024. This new regulation, part of Law 5053/2023, enables employees in specific sectors to work up to 48 hours a week, an increase from the standard 40 hours.
The legislation, supported by the ruling New Democracy party and passed by the Greek Parliament in the autumn of 2023, aims to address urgent staffing shortages in sectors with continuous operations, such as industry, retail, and agriculture. Workers who opt for the additional workday will receive a 40% pay increase for that day. This measure is intended to combat undeclared work and ensure fair compensation, according to a spokesperson for Greece’s Ministry of Labour and Social Security.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has defended the law, stating that it is both worker-friendly and growth-oriented, aligning Greece with broader European labor practices. However, the move has been met with significant opposition from labor unions and opposition parties, who argue that it undermines workers’ rights and could lead to exploitation.
Despite the controversy, the new law specifies that employees cannot work more than eight hours on the additional workday and must be given 24-hour notice before being called in to work. This regulation excludes the hospitality sector, where a six-day work week was already in effect since 2023.
The implementation of the six-day work week comes at a time when many other countries are experimenting with shorter work weeks. For instance, trials of a four-day workweek in Iceland were deemed overwhelmingly successful, leading many workers there to adopt shorter hours. Similarly, France has a standard 35-hour work week, with ongoing discussions about reducing it further to 32 hours. In the United States, there is growing momentum for a four-day work week, with some companies already experimenting with this model to boost productivity and employee well-being.
Greece, however, faces unique economic challenges. With an average work week of 41 hours, Greek workers already log the longest hours in Europe. Despite these long hours, Greece ranks low in terms of wages and purchasing power within the EU. The government hopes that the new law will not only address labor shortages but also reduce the prevalence of black market labor.
Critics argue that the new law could lead to increased safety risks, citing a rise in workplace accidents. In 2023, Greece recorded 179 workplace fatalities, a significant increase from 104 in the previous year. There is also concern about the impact on family life, as many workers may now find themselves working six days a week without adequate childcare support.
As the world watches Greece’s bold move, the debate over optimal work schedules and their impact on economic growth, worker productivity, and well-being continues. The outcomes of Greece’s new policy will likely provide valuable insights into the future of work, both in Europe and globally.
