The Memo: From 8 to 13: Greece’s new labour law faces fierce backlash

The Greek workday just got a stretch, and not the relaxing kind. The country’s Parliament has approved a new labour law allowing some workers to put in up to 13 hours a day, a move that has sparked strikes, protests and a heated debate across the country. The 'Fair Work for All’ labour reform was passed earlier this month and, in response, unions staged two nationwide general strikes to demand the bill’s withdrawal. The strikes bought public transport and services to a standstill.  

The government argues that the law will bring greater flexibility to the labour market, helping businesses manage staffing shortages while aligning Greek labour practices with EU standards. Workers who opt into the extended schedule are promised 40% higher pay for overtime, and legal safeguards ensure they cannot be dismissed for refusing extra hours. Supporters argue the change offers businesses greater flexibility and the government claims it will modernise Greek labour laws. Critics, on the other hand, warn that it risks turning the daily grind into a marathon. The law has some wondering whether it delivers fairness or simply stretches employees too thin.   

Greece’s new labour law introduces a cap of 150 hours on annual overtime, while keeping the standard 40-hour workweek intact. The extended 13-hour workday, the law insists, is strictly optional, applies only to the private sector, and can be used for up to 37 days a year. Whether that feels like flexibility or just a longer stretch of the daily grind depends on who you ask. 

Opposition parties have accused the government of eroding workers’ rights and “pushing the country back to a labour middle age.” The government maintains that the extended schedule is strictly voluntary, with legal protections in place to prevent dismissal for those who opt out. This also isn’t Greece’s first step toward longer working patterns. In 2024, Greece introduced a six-day working week for certain industries in a bid to boost economic growth. Employees working a sixth day are entitled to 40% extra pay, though sectors like hospitality were excluded from the measure.  

In contrast, UK labour laws take a more cautious approach. While there’s no fixed daily limit on working hours, the Working Time Regulations 1998 enforce an average weekly cap of 48 hours, unless a worker opts out. UK law also mandates 11 hours of rest between shifts, a 20-minute break during shifts over six hours, and at least one full day off per week. So, while a 13-hour day isn’t outright banned, its tightly regulated, and far less likely to be standard practice.