Greece Introduces a 6-Day, 48-Hour Work Week: A Bold Move or a Step Backward?

Late last month, Greece made headlines by introducing a 6-day, 48-hour work week for some businesses. This move comes at a time when many of its European neighbors are successfully experimenting with shorter 4-day work weeks. The Greek government insists that this change is essential for reviving its economy by leveraging harder and longer work hours compared to other nations. However, there is skepticism about whether this strategy will work and what it means for the working conditions in the country.

📉 Greece's Shrinking Workforce and Economic Strategy

Greece has been grappling with an aging and shrinking population. According to the country’s statistics authority, over 500,000 young, educated citizens have left to find better employment opportunities abroad. As members of the European Union, Greek workers can reside and work across borders with minimal restrictions, making it easier for them to find higher-paying jobs elsewhere. To counteract this loss of manpower, the Greek government implemented the six-day work week. The logic might seem sound—output is the hourly productivity of a worker multiplied by how many hours they work. However, there is a major flaw in this plan: productive workers might prefer to relocate to countries with better working conditions and pay.

💼 High-Compensation Professions: Why Greece’s Strategy Might Fail

Longer working hours are often associated with highly compensated professions such as:

• Executive roles
• Medical practitioners
• Investment bankers
• Corporate lawyers
• Senior tech positions

These professionals usually work long hours because their roles demand it, and they are generally well compensated for their time. For instance, doctors and nurses often work overtime to keep hospitals operational, albeit at great personal cost, including burnout and increased risk of errors. Investment banking teams also stretch their workforce thin to maximize profits. If Greece aims to attract high-paying jobs through longer work hours, they are likely to fail. The country already has high unemployment rates, and those who are qualified for these roles have probably already migrated to cities like London, Frankfurt, or even the United States.

🏗️ Targeting the Wrong Jobs

This new law isn’t targeting office jobs, most of which are explicitly excluded. Instead, it’s aimed at squeezing more work hours from employees in sectors like:

• Retail
• Transport
• Construction
• Hospitality

In these fields, businesses demand maximum hours of operation to serve customers, and workers are already putting in extra hours. According to data from the OECD, the average Greek works 80 hours more per year than the average American and significantly more than the average German.

⚠️ The Illusion of Optional Overtime

While the law technically maintains a 40-hour work week, it allows employers to require up to two extra unpaid hours per day “for a limited period” in exchange for more free time later. In reality, this option is likely to become the new norm, making the six-day work week effectively mandatory.

A Grim Outlook for Greek Workers

The new law is likely to drive away the already dwindling pool of young workers, lower hourly wages, and create harsh working conditions. Critics argue that it formalizes an exploitative system that many employees already endured.

🌍 A Global Issue: Overwork Across the World

Greece isn’t the only country where overtime is becoming the norm. Many employees worldwide find themselves working extensive hours for various reasons:

• Economic necessity
• Unpaid overtime
• Side hustles to make ends meet

According to a study by ADP Research, the average American worker does about 9.2 hours of unpaid overtime each week. Coupled with side hustles, the workload for the average household has actually increased.

🏠 The Real Cost: Housing and Living Expenses

One significant reason for this increased workload is the high cost of living, particularly in housing. Many young people are taking on additional jobs to save for a down payment or to meet rising living expenses. A study by the US Chamber of Commerce highlighted that 5.5 million new business applications were filed in 2023, with many of these stemming from states facing severe employment issues.

Side Hustles: A Lifeline or a Drain?

While side hustles can be an excellent way to supplement income, they often pay below minimum wage and cannot replace a stable job. The reliance on these forms of income is troubling as it shows a widespread economic struggle rather than entrepreneurial ambition.

⏳ Conclusion: The Long Road Ahead

Greece’s six-day work week may serve as a cautionary tale for other nations. Increasing work hours does not necessarily lead to economic improvement and can result in dire consequences for workers' quality of life. It’s crucial to focus on sustainable, fair labor practices that prioritize the well-being of the workforce. For a better experience visit our official blog portal

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