Greece Introduces Six-Day Work Week in an Attempt to Boost Economy, Sparking Debate on its Benefits and Consequences

Greece has recently introduced a new six-day working week for certain industries in the hopes of boosting economic growth. The legislation, effective from July, allows employees to work up to 48 hours a week instead of the standard 40 hours. This change only applies to businesses operating 24 hours a day and is voluntary for workers, who will receive a 40% increase in pay for overtime worked. However, this move by the Greek government goes against the trend in Europe and the US, where more companies are adopting four-day working weeks, arguing that fewer hours can actually improve productivity and employee well-being.

The goal of Greece’s new working week plan is to reduce undeclared work, which often leads to tax evasion, as reported by Greek public broadcaster ERTNews. The policy does not cover tourist businesses and the food industry. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated that the legislation is worker-friendly and focused on growth, bringing Greece in line with the rest of Europe.

Despite this new policy, many experts argue that flexible working models and four-day weeks would be more beneficial for both employees and employers in the long run. Following the global financial crisis in the late 2000s, Greece struggled with high public spending and widespread tax evasion, resulting in significant debts. Prime Minister Mitsotakis has been praised for leading the country’s economic recovery after seeking international bailouts. However, Greece’s decision to implement a six-day working week contrasts with these efforts and may have negative consequences on overall economic growth.

Companies around the world have been exploring alternative working patterns to improve work-life balance and boost employee satisfaction. It remains to be seen how Greece’s new legislation will impact its workforce and overall economic growth.