Greece Approves Bill Allowing Extended Working Hours Amid Worker Protests

Greece Approves Bill Allowing Extended Working Hours Amid Worker Protests
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Greece’s parliament has approved a bill permitting private sector employers to extend working hours to 13 hours per day, up from the current eight, Reuters reported. The conservative government says the measure aims to make the labour market more flexible and efficient, but it has sparked two general strikes this month, as workers argue it undermines their rights amid rising living costs and stagnating wages.

The extended hours can be applied up to three days per month and 37 days per year. While employees cannot be fired for refusing overtime, unions say the law weakens workers’ negotiating power, especially in sectors with undeclared work and relatively low wages.

The bill also allows employers greater flexibility in short-term hiring and enables staff, by prior agreement, to work four days a week year-round.
Greece is recovering from a long debt crisis that severely reduced national output, but wages remain below pre-crisis levels, leaving many Greeks struggling despite recent economic growth and tax cuts.