The main opposition party in Greece, the left-wing SYRIZA, commented today that the recent introduction of a six-day week working week for certain companies meeting specific criteria is “shame“ for the country, according to its spokesman, quoted by France Press.
This measure by Greece's ruling right-wing New Democracy party, which came into force at the beginning of July, "covered the country with shame", "making it a laughing stock abroad," Voula Kehaia said on the private TV channel “ ;Sky“.
„Such things are unacceptable. The government must understand that this policy has consequences”, she said.
The introduction of a six-day working week is applicable only in certain situations, mainly for companies working seven days a week and 24 hours a day.
Therefore, it only applies to a “small number” companies, above all in industry, assured government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis on Facebook on Saturday.
In his words, the five-day working week remains the norm, but the sixth day is a “special condition” in case of “urgent need to be met by qualified personnel”.
Establishing this six-day week, which is already a practice in some sectors such as tourism or restaurants, also aims to combat work in the gray sector, according to Athens.
Employees will receive at least 40 percent more pay for the sixth day of work.
The government assures that this measure should compensate for the effects of the demographic crisis and the shortage of workers in certain sectors.
Greece has faced a shortage of skilled workers since the financial crisis of the late 2000s, which pushed young people to leave their homeland in search of a better future.
Greek working hours are now generally longer than elsewhere in Europe, the agency notes.
Last year, the average weekly working time in the country was the highest in the European Union – 39.8 hours, according to the European Statistical Office (Eurostat).
Their productivity, on the other hand, was much lower than the average for EU countries, according to the same source.
Although it affects only a small proportion of workers, the introduction of a six-day week in Greece has received strong international attention.
The measure is at odds with many Western countries, where there are already debates over a four-day work week, which its advocates say should promote productivity.
„Some countries are trying to introduce a 4-day work week. "Greece wants a 6-day" is the title of an article in the electronic edition of the Greek newspaper "Kathimerini", originally published in the "New York Times".
The article recalls that the six-day work week in Greece was introduced on July 1 in order for the country to address labor shortages, compensate for an aging workforce and support financially challenged workers while respecting workers' rights.
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Trade unions, which have long pushed for better working conditions and rights, opposed the move, the article, reprinted by “Kathimerini”, also states. This sparked fierce debate and protests when the six-day work week bill was passed in September last year.
Greece already has the longest average work week in the European Union, and it is unclear whether the extended work week will boost productivity, notes the “New York Times”.