Greece: Government legislates for a 6-day work week

Greece is going against the global trend and has legislated for a 6-day work week to combat demographic changes and boost productivity.

Why it matters: The Greek government says the six-day scheme will only apply to private businesses providing round-the-clock services. Under the extended working week, staff in select industries and manufacturing facilities will have the option of working an additional two hours a day or an extra eight-hour shift, rewarded with a top-up fee of 40% added to the daily wage.

The bottom line: The shrinking population and shortage of skilled workers in Greece is seen as a ticking time bomb by the government. About 500,000 mostly young educated Greeks having emigrated over the past decade.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Quote from Akis Sotiropoulos an executive committee member of the civil servants’ union Adedy: 

“In reality this has been passed by a government ideologically committed to generating ever bigger profits for capital…

…When almost every other civilised country is enacting a four-day week, Greece decides to go the other way ... Better productivity comes with better work conditions, a better quality of life [for employees] and that, we now know, is about less hours not more.”