Greece Parliament approves 13-hour workday amid protests and union strikes

According to the government, the legislation aimed to 'modernise Greek labour laws' and reflect current employment conditions.

Greece’s parliament has approved a controversial labour reform permitting employees to work up to 13 hours a day, despite extensive protests, nationwide strikes and opposition criticism describing the legislation as regressive, the BBC reported.

The measure, backed by lawmakers from the ruling centre-right New Democracy party, was adopted following a heated debate in which the centre-left Pasok party, now the main opposition, voted against the proposal, while the left-wing Syriza party chose to abstain.

According to the government, the legislation aimed to “modernise Greek labour laws” and reflect current employment conditions. Officials emphasised that the extended workday would be voluntary, applicable only to the private sector, and limited to 37 days per year. The reform also capped annual overtime at 150 hours, while retaining the standard 40-hour week.

According to the BBC, defending the measure, Labour Minister Niki Kerameus argued that the changes brought Greek law in line with “modern labour-market realities”, adding that the reforms aligned with European Union working-time rules, which restrict the average working week to 48 hours including overtime, but permit annual flexibility.

Kerameus accused opposition leaders of “misleading the public” about the bill’s intent, saying that workers choosing to work longer hours would receive 40% higher pay and would be protected from dismissal if they declined overtime.

Government officials said the reform gave employees the option to increase their income through extra hours with their main employer rather than take on multiple part-time roles, describing participation as “strictly voluntary”.

However, critics condemned the law as a serious erosion of labour protections. A spokesperson for Syriza denounced the measure as a “legislative monstrosity”, arguing that it represented a return to outdated work practices. Opposition parties said Greek employees already endured some of the longest hours in Europe while facing lower wages and persistent economic hardship.

The public-sector union ADEDY also voiced strong opposition, stating that flexible work arrangements in reality amounted to “the abolition of the eight-hour day, the destruction of family and social life and the legalisation of over-exploitation,” according to a report by AFP.

In recent weeks, unions had organised two general strikes calling for the bill’s withdrawal. The industrial action disrupted public transport and government services, with demonstrations held in several major cities including Athens and Thessaloniki.

The reform followed earlier labour changes introduced in 2024, when Greece implemented a six-day working week in selected industries to boost productivity and growth. That measure allowed up to 48 hours of work per week, compared with the conventional 40-hour schedule.