The Greek Parliament has narrowly approved the new labor law, which introduces the possibility of a 13-hour workday for employees, following a roll-call vote requested by the ruling New Democracy (ND) party.
The legislation titled “Fair Work for All”, passed with the support of 156 ND MPs and two independents. The opposition uniformly rejected the bill, though the main opposition party, SYRIZA, abstained entirely from the vote.
The final tally on the bill’s principle was 158 votes in favor to 109 votes against (out of 267 MPs present).
The highly contentious Article 7, which introduces the possibility of a 13-hour workday for employees, passed with the same majority: 158 votes in favor to 110 votes against (out of 268 MPs present).
Despite the sharp division on the main points, several individual articles of the bill enjoyed wide, cross-party acceptance, with vote counts ranging from 160 to 230 in favor.
Unions and opposition parties in Greece oppose new labor law
The legislation has drawn criticism from unions, opposition lawmakers, and civil society groups, all of whom argue that the measure undermines long-established worker protections. Two nationwide strikes were held in the space of two weeks from early October, paralyzing the country.
“Flexible working hours” in practice means “the abolition of the eight-hour workday, the dissolution of every concept of family and social life and legalisation of overexploitation,” said the public sector union ADEDY in a statement.
The General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE), which represents private-sector employees, denounced what it described as “the further flexibilisation of our working conditions.”
13 hours per day, but only on a limited number of occasions
Under the new law, workers in certain sectors — including manufacturing, retail, agriculture, and hospitality — could work for up to 13 hours per day, but only on a limited number of occasions each year.
The law specifies that this extended workday can occur for a maximum of 37 days annually, translating to roughly three days per month. Employees will remain bound by an overall cap of 48 working hours per week, calculated on a four-month average, with the general 40-hour workweek continuing as the standard.
The total annual overtime permitted remains 150 hours, and workers performing overtime will receive an additional 40 percent on top of their regular wages.
The government has highlighted that participation in the 13-hour schedule will be strictly voluntary and subject to the employee’s consent.
“The expression ‘13-hour workday’ implies that we will all work for 13 hours a day, all year round. Is it valid? Can it be done every day? No, is the answer. It can be done up to 37 days a year, i.e. on a pro rata basis of three days a month. Therefore, the term 13 hours is wrong and misleading. Secondly, it requires the agreement of the employee,” said Labor Minister Niki Kerameus.
According to the Labor Ministry, no employee can be dismissed for refusing to participate in the scheme. The legislation, Kerameus said, “gives a boost to the private sector” and “strengthens the employees.”
Supermarkets and certain industries are excluded from the scope of the 13-hour provision, which the government says primarily applies to seasonal or staff-constrained enterprises.
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