Greece is making a significant shift towards a six-day workweek, departing from the traditional five-day model. This move comes as the government aims to address labor shortages and combat black market labor practices within the country. The new regulations, set to take effect on July 1, will allow certain industrial and manufacturing facilities, as well as businesses offering 24/7 services, to operate on a six-day workweek schedule.

Emmanouil Savoidakis, head of the labor law practice at Politis & Partners in Athens, explains that this change will result in a standard legal workweek of 48 hours, an increase from the previous 40 hours. While employees will have the option to work additional hours if required by their employers, they will also receive corresponding compensation for their extra time.

The Greek government believes that these new rules will streamline administrative processes, shorten probation periods to six months, and bring more transparency to overtime practices. Additionally, the legislation aims to address skill shortages in the labor market by cracking down on undeclared work and providing incentives such as free employee training to enhance workers’ capabilities and adaptability to evolving market needs.

While the six-day workweek is not universally applicable and excludes sectors like tourism and food services, it raises the question of whether Greece could serve as a model for other countries facing similar labor challenges. With industries like tourism playing a crucial role in the Greek economy and grappling with a shortage of qualified workers, the country’s approach to work hours could offer insights for other nations.

Greece’s decision to increase work hours contrasts with trends in many other European countries, where experiments with alternative workweek models are underway. From compressing the 40-hour workweek into four longer days to completing work in less time while maintaining full pay, countries like Germany, Belgium, France, the UK, Spain, and Iceland are exploring various approaches to work hour flexibility.

Earlier this year, Germany saw the national railway company Deutsche Bahn and the train drivers’ union agree to gradually reduce the standard workweek from 38 to 35 hours, showcasing a shift towards shorter work hours in certain sectors. As countries continue to navigate labor challenges and seek innovative solutions, Greece’s adoption of a six-day workweek could spark discussions on work hour reforms and labor practices globally.