[Greece] Legislation for 10-hour workday presented

[Greece] Legislation for 10-hour workday presented
27 Aug 2025

In Greece, the Labour Ministry has presented sweeping new legislation which foresees 10-hour workdays for four days a week, throughout the year, ekathimerini.com reports.

In addition, it stipulates individual contracts with reduced working hours, 13-hour daily employment in companies that do not provide a short break, and a reduction in the cost of overtime.

The 88-article bill, “Fair Work for All,” reportedly clarifies significant changes in individual labour law. 

The period of increased and reduced employment periods, for example; the reference period for the arrangement of working hours, can start from one week and reach up to 12 months. This in practice means that, based on an employer’s needs, and provided that the employee (if there is no union or association) accepts, working hours can even be arranged on a weekly basis, or continuously.

In addition it gives clarity on overtime rules, allowing employees to work up to 13 hours per day under voluntary agreement, with pay increased by 40 per cent. Limits on weekly and annual working hours stay in place, and employees are explicitly protected from dismissal if they refuse extra hours. Still, overtime can reach up to four hours per day, at the same employer.

The explanatory report which accompanies the bill reportedly clarifies that, in cases where a break is provided for outside working hours, as is the case in large enterprises in the retail sector such as supermarkets and industry, the 13-hour workday cannot be applied. This is because in such cases, 13 hours of work and a 30-minute break exceed the mandatory 11-hour rest within 24 consecutive hours. 

The draft law also states that employees working overtime are entitled to remuneration equal to the hourly wage paid, increased by 40 per cent for each hour of legal overtime, up to four hours per day and up to 150 hours per year.

The ministry stated that the new provisions will not affect the government’s ongoing dialogue with social partners concerning the strengthening of sectoral labor agreements.

The bill will reportedly remain open to public consultation until September 19.

 

Source: ekathimerini.com

 

In Greece, the Labour Ministry has presented sweeping new legislation which foresees 10-hour workdays for four days a week, throughout the year, ekathimerini.com reports.

In addition, it stipulates individual contracts with reduced working hours, 13-hour daily employment in companies that do not provide a short break, and a reduction in the cost of overtime.

The 88-article bill, “Fair Work for All,” reportedly clarifies significant changes in individual labour law. 

The period of increased and reduced employment periods, for example; the reference period for the arrangement of working hours, can start from one week and reach up to 12 months. This in practice means that, based on an employer’s needs, and provided that the employee (if there is no union or association) accepts, working hours can even be arranged on a weekly basis, or continuously.

In addition it gives clarity on overtime rules, allowing employees to work up to 13 hours per day under voluntary agreement, with pay increased by 40 per cent. Limits on weekly and annual working hours stay in place, and employees are explicitly protected from dismissal if they refuse extra hours. Still, overtime can reach up to four hours per day, at the same employer.

The explanatory report which accompanies the bill reportedly clarifies that, in cases where a break is provided for outside working hours, as is the case in large enterprises in the retail sector such as supermarkets and industry, the 13-hour workday cannot be applied. This is because in such cases, 13 hours of work and a 30-minute break exceed the mandatory 11-hour rest within 24 consecutive hours. 

The draft law also states that employees working overtime are entitled to remuneration equal to the hourly wage paid, increased by 40 per cent for each hour of legal overtime, up to four hours per day and up to 150 hours per year.

The ministry stated that the new provisions will not affect the government’s ongoing dialogue with social partners concerning the strengthening of sectoral labor agreements.

The bill will reportedly remain open to public consultation until September 19.

 

Source: ekathimerini.com

 

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