Greece has just passed a new labor law. This otherwise uncontroversial law does permit workdays of up to 13 hours in limited circumstances, and that provision has generated a firestorm of controversy. The country is still healing from a 10-year-long financial collapse that formally concluded in 2018. This legislative change comes at a critical point in this recovery. At the peak of that tumultuous period, unemployment in Greece reached a staggering 28%. Recent figures tell a different story with unemployment at 8.1% as of August, the situation has improved considerably, although the EU average is still sitting at 5.9%.
Perhaps counterintuitively, employment in Greece—both public and private—is on the rise. Wages and standards of living are still some of the lowest in the European Union. The average Greek employee works more hours than any other employee in Europe, and they make less money. The government’s introduction of this new law aims to modernize Greece’s labour framework, reflecting current market conditions and encouraging flexibility in work arrangements.
Though the longer workday is being pitched as government, this is optional. Currently, it only applies to the private sector and it can only be utilized for up to 37 days per year. Under the new, permissive law, laborers can choose to pick up additional shifts from their existing employer. They are guaranteed a pay raise of 40% over their base wage for these extra hours on the campaign. It protects workers from being fired for opting out of overtime.
Labour Minister Niki Kerameus Ministry of Labour press release defending the legislation for aligning Greek law with modern labour-market realities. She made a powerful case for these reforms to ensure that our educational system keeps pace with the rapidly changing workforce landscape.
“This is the abolition of the eight-hour day, the destruction of family and social life and the legalisation of over-exploitation.” – ADEDY public-sector union (as reported by AFP news agency)
Opposition parties, most especially the left-wing, anti-austerity Syriza party, have decried the bill in the strongest terms. A spokesperson for Rep. They focused on concerns regarding its harmful effects on workers’ rights and work-family balance. The introduction of this policy has revived long-established discussions on work-life balance and employee’s welfare in Greece.
As of January 2025, Greece’s national minimum wage is €968 (£839, $1,127) per month. The new law provides employees with an option to work extra hours for a single employer rather than juggling multiple part-time jobs. It is a regime where worker participation is still voluntary, granting workers autonomy and agency over their labor and the contours of their work.