It is now permitted to work longer than usual in Greece. The country’s parliament has approved a bill enabling employers to set a 13-hour workday, the Athens News Agency reported.
Under the new rules, an extended workday will be allowed only three times a month and up to 37 times per year. At the same time, employees have the right to refuse extra shifts without the threat of dismissal. Authorities believe this measure will make the labor market more flexible and modern.
What workers think
However, labor unions and parts of society are unhappy with these changes. They argue that the law undermines workers’ rights and worsens conditions in a country where wages are already low and informal employment is widespread. On the day of the vote, mass protests broke out in Athens. Demonstrators expressed anger over rising prices and stagnant incomes.
Earlier, the country witnessed a nationwide strike that paralyzed transportation infrastructure — trains, ferries and taxis stopped operating. Thousands of people gathered outside the parliament building, demanding that the law not be passed. Nevertheless, it ultimately became a reality.
Situation in other countries
According to Euobserver, even before this reform, Greece already had one of the longest working weeks in Europe, averaging around 40 hours. In comparison, workers in Germany have an average working week of 34 hours, while in the Netherlands it is about 32.
For comparison, the duration of the working day in Kazakhstan depends on the length of the working week. In a five-day week, the official workday lasts eight hours, while in a six-day week, it lasts seven hours — with a typical working week totaling 40 hours.
Meanwhile, statistics show that Bhutan has the world’s longest average working week, lasting 54.4 hours. Other countries with long working weeks include Sudan (50.8 hours), Jordan (48.8 hours), the UAE (48.7 hours) and Mongolia (47.2 hours).
Notably, in July, a study published in the Nature Human Behavior journal found that a four-day workweek benefits both businesses and employees. More than 140 companies across five countries took part in the trial, replacing the traditional five-day schedule with a four-day week.
