Greece Combats Labor Shortage with 6-Day Week
Workers in many countries have been sending a clear message in recent years: they want to work less — not more.
A four-day working week has been trialed in some places, with positive results.
But one European country has made a move in the opposite direction. At the start of July, Greece introduced a six-day working week for some industries.
So why has the country made the change, and what will it mean for its workers?
The government says one of its aims is to address the country's labor shortage — Greeks often move abroad in search of better opportunities.
So instead of having to hire more workers, some businesses will be able to ask their employees to do more.
That could mean people working a 48-hour week, although they will be paid 40% more for their sixth day of work.
The government argues that making a six-day week official should help make sure that people are fairly paid for their extra work.
However, labor unions and workers are not happy. Thousands of people took part in protests the day before the change to the law was passed last fall.
Greek law professor Aris Kazakos told DW that the new law gives employers all of the power.
He said employees will not be allowed to refuse if their boss asks them to do the extra day of work, or if they're asked to work extra hours over the other five days of the week.
He added that increased working hours could have a negative effect on the safety of workers in some industries.
According to recent data, employees in Greece already work more hours each week than those in the US and most of Europe.
And some European politicians have suggested that the new law goes against the European Union's principles, which aim to make workplaces better and safer, and to give more rights to workers.
