Greek Workers Strike Nationwide Against Controversial 13-Hour Workday Proposal

Athens:

Transportation services across Greece came to a standstill on Wednesday as workers from various sectors participated in a nationwide general strike protesting controversial labor reforms. Thousands of demonstrators, including teachers and seafarers, marched to the parliament in Athens to voice their opposition to proposed legislation that would allow employers to extend daily working hours.

The protest was organized by Greece's major private and public sector trade unions in response to a government bill that would permit employers to request up to 13 hours of work per day from employees, compared to the current eight-hour standard. This change would affect even private sector workers with single employment.

"We are here to say no to a monstrous bill," expressed Dimitra, a 24-year-old sales assistant participating in the Athens demonstration. "Stop it! We are not machines."

Protesters carried banners with messages such as "No to slavery," expressing their strong opposition to the proposed changes.

The controversial draft legislation, which also introduces greater flexibility for short-term hiring practices and modifies annual leave regulations in the private sector, is expected to be presented to parliament for approval this month.

Government officials maintain that the reform is not mandatory and would be applicable for a maximum of 37 days annually. They argue that workers would receive 40% overtime compensation and that the changes respond to demands from both employers and employees for increased labor market flexibility.

However, unions contend that the bill will intensify pressure on Greek workers who are still recovering from the severe 2009-2018 debt crisis that drastically reduced wages and pensions while causing unemployment rates to surge.

Despite economic recovery and some improvement in living standards following several minimum wage increases, Greeks continue to lag behind other European citizens in purchasing power due to escalating housing and food costs.

Public sector employees argue that the government should focus on raising wages instead. "This bill only extends the exploitation of workers, smashes labor rights and our families' incomes," stated Veta Papoutsakou, a 65-year-old public sector union representative.