Greece experienced a nationwide shutdown on Wednesday as workers from both the public and private sectors staged a 24-hour general strike. The strike was called in protest against proposed government labor reforms that would extend the legal workday to 13 hours under specific conditions. Transport services came to a halt, schools and hospitals closed, and tens of thousands took to the streets in Athens, Thessaloniki, and other major cities to voice their opposition.
The Proposed Legislation and Worker Opposition
The government’s new labor law aims to allow employers to mandate up to 13-hour workdays for a single employer, extending rules that currently apply only to employees holding multiple jobs. The reforms cap working hours, including overtime, at 48 hours per week, with an annual overtime limit of 150 hours. Labor Minister Niki Kerameos emphasized that overtime would require the worker’s consent and be limited to 37 days per year, with protections against dismissal for those who refuse.
Despite government assurances, Greek trade unions fiercely oppose the changes. The largest unions, GSEE and ADEDY, have called the legislation a threat to worker rights and well-being. They argue that extending work hours to 13 per day risks worker exhaustion and diminishes any possibility of work-life balance. GSEE advocates instead for a 37.5-hour workweek, consistent with standards across many European countries.
Economic Context and Deep Worker Concerns
The strike and protests unfold against a backdrop of Greece’s ongoing recovery from a long debt crisis which lasted nearly a decade between 2009 and 2018. While recent economic data shows growth and declining unemployment, wages remain low, with the minimum wage set at only 880 euros per month. Greek workers already endure some of the longest average workweeks in Europe, clocking 39.8 hours compared to the EU average of 35.8 hours.
Many workers express anxiety that the reforms will intensify pressure on their already stretched schedules, further compromising quality of life. Notis Skouras, a hairdressers’ union member, summed up the prevailing sentiment: “With this law, workers will no longer have a private life and for what? To satisfy employers and increase their profits!”
Government’s Stance and Upcoming Parliamentary Vote
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’s conservative administration has pushed multiple labor market reforms aimed at increasing flexibility, including legalizing six-day workweeks in some sectors since mid-2024. The 13-hour workday proposal is the latest and arguably the most contentious, with the government set to present the law for parliamentary approval later this month. The outcome will likely be decisive for labor relations and economic policy direction in Greece for years to come.
