Greece implements the six-day workweek: a contrast with the global trend

Greece implements the six-day workweek

Greece implements a six-day workweek in certain industries to boost its economy.

Since early July, new legislation allows certain businesses to operate with an extended workweek of up to 48 hours per week, instead of the usual 40 hours.

This measure, applicable only to businesses operating 24 hours a day, aims to tackle undeclared work and enhance tax compliance, as reported by the Greek public broadcaster ERTNews.

While this decision runs counter to the global trend towards shorter workweeks, such as the four-day weeks adopted by many companies in Europe and the United States, the Greek government portrays it as a strategy to foster economic growth. However, tourism and the food industry are excluded from this policy.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis describes it as legislation prioritizing growth and ensuring Greece aligns with other European countries.

In contrast, several countries have experimented with shorter workweeks to increase productivity and improve employee well-being. For instance, trials of four-day workweeks in Iceland have been deemed successful, maintaining or even boosting productivity.

Greece, after a prolonged period of economic hardship, now aims to regain growth following years of financial crisis and international bailouts.