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Government Building

Greece's legislature has ratified a contentious labor reform that permits 13-hour work shifts, in the face of widespread resistance and countrywide strike actions.

The administration asserted the measure will update the country's work laws, but opposition figures from the progressive faction labeled it as a "legislative monstrosity."

Key Provisions of the New Labor Law

According to the newly enacted law, annual overtime is also at 150 hours, while the standard 40-hour workweek remains in place.

The government insists that the longer shift is optional, solely applies to the business sector, and can only be used for up to thirty-seven days annually.

Political Support and Opposition

Thursday's ballot was supported by lawmakers from the ruling conservative party, with the centre-left faction – currently the main opposition – voting against the bill, while the left-wing group abstained.

Labor unions have organized multiple protests demanding the bill's withdrawal recently that halted public transport and public services to a standstill.

Government Justification and Worker Protections

The Labor Minister supported the bill, stating the changes align national laws with modern employment realities, and alleged opposition leaders of misinforming the public.

These regulations will give workers the option to accept additional hours with the same employer for increased compensation, while guaranteeing they cannot be fired for refusing extra hours.

The measure follows European Union labor regulations, which cap the average workweek to 48 hours counting overtime but allow adjustments over a year, according to the administration.

Critical Viewpoints and Labor Responses

But, opposition parties have accused the government of eroding employee protections and "driving the nation back to a labor middle age." They argue Greek employees currently work longer hours than the majority of EU citizens while earning less and still "face financial difficulties."

A major labor organization said variable shifts in reality mean "the abolition of the standard workday, the disruption of family and social life and the authorization of over-exploitation."

Previous Workplace Reforms and Economic Background

In 2024, the country introduced a six-day working week for certain industries in a attempt to boost economic growth.

Recent laws, which came into effect at the beginning of the summer, permit employees to labor up to forty-eight hours in a workweek as instead of forty.

EU Work Statistics and Greek Economic Metrics

• Throughout the EU in 2024, the longest average hours were recorded in Greece (39.8 hours), followed by Bulgaria, Poland and Romania (38.8).
• The lowest work hours in the bloc is in the Netherlands (32.1), according to EU statistics.
• As of January 2025, Greece's official base pay was €968 a month, placing it in the bottom group among European nations.
• Joblessness, which had reached a high at twenty-eight percent during the economic downturn, was 8.1% in the summer versus an European mean of 5.9%, figures from the statistical office indicate.
• Greece is recovering since its prolonged debt crisis, which ended in 2018, but salaries and quality of life remain among the lowest in the European Union.