Greek strike exposes backlash over 13-hour workday plan

Greece was brought to a standstill on Wednesday as a 24-hour general strike saw thousands of public and private sector workers walk out in protest against controversial labour reforms. The proposed legislation would allow employees to work up to 13 hours a day, making Greece an outlier in Europe as most countries move toward shorter working weeks.

The strike halted transport systems in Athens and Thessaloniki, closed schools and hospitals, and kept ferries docked in ports. Unions described the measure as “modern slavery”, warning of rising burnout, workplace accidents and further erosion of worker rights.

Prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has defended the proposal as a move toward labour market flexibility, arguing it will help young people consolidate multiple jobs into longer hours with a single employer. The labour ministry insists the rule will only apply in “exceptional” cases.

But with average weekly working hours already exceeding the EU norm and wages remaining among the lowest on the continent, critics see the law as deepening inequality rather than creating opportunity. Greece’s minimum wage stands at €880 (£765), a sharp contrast to soaring living costs that have left many reliant on state benefits.

The backlash underscores a growing divide between government reforms aimed at competitiveness and citizens’ demand for dignity, balance and fair pay. Experts caution that extending hours may undermine productivity, counter to international trends prioritising efficiency through shorter workweeks.

As unions vow to escalate resistance, the confrontation raises wider questions about how far governments can stretch labour flexibility before breaking social consensus.

Read the full article for deeper insights into Greece’s escalating labour dispute.