Greece Becomes First EU Country to Introduce a Six-Day Working Week

In a move that has stirred both interest and controversy, Greece has become the first European Union country to introduce a six-day working week for certain industries. 

This significant shift, effective from the start of July, is part of a broader strategy aimed at boosting economic growth and addressing the country's persistent issues with undeclared work and tax evasion.

The new legislation permits employees in specific sectors to work up to 48 hours a week, an increase from the previous 40-hour limit. 

This change, however, is not a blanket imposition across all industries. 

It specifically targets businesses operating on a 24-hour basis, such as those with continuous operations and rotating shifts. 

Importantly, participation in this extended work week is optional for employees, who are compensated with an additional 40% pay for the extra hours they work.

This policy stands in stark contrast to emerging workplace trends in other parts of Europe and the United States, where the adoption of a four-day work week is becoming more prevalent. 

Proponents of the shorter work week argue that it enhances productivity and improves employee well-being. 

Companies that have adopted these flexible working models often report higher productivity and greater staff satisfaction.

Despite the divergent approaches, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has defended the new legislation, describing it as "worker-friendly" and "deeply growth-oriented." 

He believes this initiative will align Greece more closely with the rest of Europe while fostering economic recovery and growth.

The introduction of the six-day working week is part of Greece's broader efforts to tackle undeclared work, which has long been a significant issue leading to substantial tax evasion. 

According to the Greek public broadcaster ERTNews, this policy aims to bring more transparency and fairness to the labor market, ensuring that workers receive proper compensation for their efforts.

It is crucial to note that this new regulation does not abolish the traditional five-day working week mandated by Greek law. 

Instead, it offers a flexible option to address exceptional operational demands that cannot be met with the existing workforce. 

A spokeswoman for Greece's Ministry of Labour and Social Security emphasized that the measure is designed to meet urgent workload requirements and is not a permanent change to standard working patterns.

Tourism and food industry businesses are excluded from this policy, reflecting the targeted nature of the legislation. 

The focus is primarily on sectors that require continuous operations and are heavily dependent on rotating shifts.

The global financial crisis of the late 2000s had a profound impact on Greece, leaving the country with crippling debts and necessitating three international bailouts. 

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Mitsotakis, Greece has made significant strides in returning to economic growth. 

However, the introduction of a six-day working week signifies a departure from the current trend toward flexible working hours seen elsewhere.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many companies worldwide have embraced flexible working models, with some even trialing four-day work weeks without a reduction in wages. 

These trials, such as those in Iceland, have been hailed as successful, demonstrating that shorter working hours can maintain or even boost productivity.

Greece's decision to implement a six-day working week, therefore, marks a notable divergence from the direction in which many other nations are heading. 

While it aims to address specific economic challenges and operational demands, it also highlights the ongoing debate about the best ways to balance economic growth, productivity, and employee well-being in a rapidly changing world.

As Greece embarks on this new path, the outcomes of this policy will be closely watched, not only within the EU but across the globe, as countries continue to explore various strategies to enhance their economic and labor market resilience.