Archive · 14 Nov 2025
Greece's 13-Hour Workday Law Criticized as Formalizing Overwork
Imagine your parents work at a job.
Usually, they work about 8 hours a day, which is a standard.
But in Greece, a new rule says bosses can ask them to work up to 13 hours a day if they 'agree' to it.
The government says this is to help businesses grow and give people more choices.
However, many workers feel they don't really have a choice because they need the money.
They say this means they work much longer hours than before, sometimes without more pay.
People in Greece are already working more hours than many other countries in Europe but aren't earning as much.
This new rule feels like going backward to the old days when people worked very long hours.
Even though the government says it's okay with rules from Europe, many workers are unhappy and have protested.
Greece has enacted a law permitting private employers to extend daily work shifts to 13 hours on a 'voluntary' basis.
Critics argue this law effectively dismantles the traditional eight-hour workday and serves to mask a refusal to raise real wages.
Despite government claims, survey data indicates that 94% of Greek workers support shorter hours with no pay cut, and nearly 60% reject a 13-hour day.
The law aligns with a broader trend in advanced economies toward normalizing longer working hours under the guise of flexibility and growth.
While complying with the EU's working time directive's average weekly limits, the law has sparked protests and concerns over worker rights and well-being.
- Who
- Greek government, private employers, and workers
- What
- Passage of a law allowing voluntary 13-hour workdays.
- When
- Recently passed (specific date not mentioned, but contrasts with 1936 victory and recent surveys).
- Where
- Greece
- Why
- The government claims it offers 'flexibility' and 'growth,' while critics argue it's a way to avoid wage increases and formalizes existing overwork.
Worker and Critic Concerns
Government and EU Justification
Legality and Worker Choice
Worker and Critic Concerns
Critics argue the 'voluntary' 13-hour workday is misleading and effectively mandates long hours, dismantling the standard eight-hour day and potentially violating the spirit, if not the letter, of EU law.
Government and EU Justification
The Greek government and the European Commission maintain the law complies with the EU working time directive, which allows for longer daily hours if the 48-hour weekly average is met, presenting it as a 'voluntary' option for flexibility and growth.
Purpose of the Law
Worker and Critic Concerns
The law is seen as a way for the government to avoid increasing real wages and household income, which have fallen since the 2008 financial crisis, by forcing workers to 'stretch time' instead of income.
Government and EU Justification
The government frames the reform as a measure for 'flexibility' and 'growth,' implying that workers desire longer days and that this approach will boost productivity.
Worker Sentiment
Worker and Critic Concerns
Surveys indicate overwhelming opposition from Greek workers to longer workdays, with a significant majority rejecting the 13-hour day and viewing the 'voluntary' aspect as meaningless, often feeling forced to work these hours to survive.
Government and EU Justification
The Greek government claims that workers want longer days, a claim contradicted by worker surveys and the wave of nationwide strikes demanding the law's repeal.
- New Law
- Permits 13-hour workdays on a 'voluntary' basis.
- Average Annual Hours (Greece)
- Approx. 1,900 hours
- Average Weekly Hours (Greece)
- 41-42 hours (highest in EU)
- Minimum Wage (Greece)
- €880 per month (approx. £775)
- GDP Change (since 2008 crisis)
- Shrunk by 27%
- Household Disposable Income Change (since 2008 crisis)
- Fallen by 35 percentage points
- Worker Opposition to 13-hour day (Survey)
- Nearly 60% reject