Greece passes labour regulation permitting 13-hour workdays in some circumstances

[ad_1] <img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/2a4d/live/d8574430-aa87-11f0-978a-a301e44bcdc7.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/2a4d/live/d8574430-aa87-11f0-978a-a301e44bcdc7.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/2a4d/live/d8574430-aa87-11f0-978a-a301e44bcdc7.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/2a4d/live/d8574430-aa87-11f0-978a-a301e44bcdc7.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/2a4d/live/d8574430-aa87-11f0-978a-a301e44bcdc7.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/2a4d/live/d8574430-aa87-11f0-978a-a301e44bcdc7.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/2a4d/live/d8574430-aa87-11f0-978a-a301e44bcdc7.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/2a4d/live/d8574430-aa87-11f0-978a-a301e44bcdc7.jpg.webp" loading="eager" alt="Getty Images A group of people holding a banner as they march during a protest in Greece." class="sc-5340b511-0 bGQwLJ"/> Getty Pictures Greece's parliament has permitted a contested labour invoice that may permit 13-hour workdays, regardless of fierce opposition and nationwide strikes.

The federal government mentioned it'll modernise Greek labour legal guidelines, however a spokesperson for the left-wing opposition Syriza celebration referred to as the invoice a "legislative monstrosity".

Below the brand new regulation, annual time beyond regulation can be capped at 150 hours, and the usual 40-hour week stays in place.

The federal government insists that the longer workday is non-obligatory, solely impacts the personal sector, and may solely be utilized as much as 37 days a 12 months.

Thursday's vote was backed by MPs from the ruling centre-right New Democracy celebration, with centre-left Pasok celebration - now the principle opposition - voting towards the invoice, whereas the left-wing Syriza celebration abstained.

Unions have staged two common strikes demanding the invoice's withdrawal this month that introduced public transport and companies to a standstill.

Labour Minister Niki Kerameus defended the invoice, saying the reforms align Greek laws with fashionable labour-market realities, and accused opposition leaders of deceptive the general public.

The legal guidelines will give staff the choice to tackle further hours with the identical employer for 40% increased pay, whereas making certain they can't be dismissed for refusing time beyond regulation.

This complies with European Union working-time guidelines, which restrict the typical week to 48 hours together with time beyond regulation however permit flexibility over 12 months, the federal government mentioned.

Based on officers, the regulation provides staff the choice to work longer for one employer reasonably than maintain a number of part-time jobs, and that participation will stay voluntary.

However opposition events have accused the federal government of eroding staff' rights and "pushing the nation again to a labour center age". They are saying Greek staff already work longer hours than most Europeans whereas incomes much less and nonetheless "wrestle to make ends meet."

The general public-sector union ADEDY mentioned versatile working hours in observe imply "the abolition of the eight-hour day, the destruction of household and social life and the legalisation of over-exploitation," the AFP information company reviews.

Throughout the EU in 2024, the longest working weeks in 2024 had been recorded in Greece (39.8 hours), adopted by Bulgaria (39.0), Poland (38.9) and Romania (38.8).

The shortest working week within the bloc is within the Netherlands (32.1), in accordance with Eurostat.

As of January 2025, Greece's nationwide minimal wage stood at €968 (£839, $1127) a month, putting it within the decrease tier amongst EU nations.

Unemployment, which had peaked at 28% throughout the monetary disaster, was 8.1% in August in contrast with an EU common of 5.9%, figures from Eurostat present.

Greece is recovering since its decade-long debt disaster, which resulted in 2018, however wages and dwelling requirements stay among the many lowest within the EU.