Greece implemented a six-day working week for certain industries to boost economic growth.
The new law, which came into force at the beginning of July, allows employees to increase their working week from 40 hours to 48 hours.
It only applies to 24-hour businesses and is optional for workers, who receive 40% extra pay for overtime.
However, the Greek government’s move is inconsistent with workplace culture elsewhere in Europe and the United States. Four-day work pattern is becoming more and more common.
Companies that adopt these policies often believe that reducing work hours can actually improve productivity and employee well-being.
It is hoped that Greece’s six-day working week scheme will help crack down on undeclared work that leads to tax evasion, according to Greek public broadcaster ERTNews.
Tourism businesses and the food industry are excluded from the policy.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said that “at its core, this legislation is good for workers and is deeply growth-oriented,” as first reported by The Guardian.
“This brings Greece in line with the rest of Europe.”
The BBC has contacted Greek Labor Minister Niki Kerameus for comment.
The global financial crisis of the late 2000s had a devastating impact on Greece, as a legacy of high public spending and widespread tax evasion left the country heavily in debt.
Mr Mitsotakis is credited with successfully returning the economy to growth after the crisis forced Greece to seek three international bailouts.
But when it comes to work patterns, Greece seems to be moving in the opposite direction to other countries.
Companies have been adopting flexible working models since the COVID-19 pandemic, with many experimenting with a four-day work week without any loss in employee pay.
Iceland’s trial of a four-day working week is considered an “overwhelming success” and has led to many workers cutting their hours, researchers say. Productivity remains the same or increases in most workplaces.
