Greece becomes the first EU country to implement a 13-hour workday in the private sector, despite protests from unions and the opposition.

The first member state of the European Union to officially introduce a 13-hour workday in the private sector is Greece, affecting workers in factories, commerce, and tourism. The Parliament will vote on this controversial legislation on October 15, despite national protests and opposition from unions. The center-right government, in power since 2019, has transformed the labor market, describing it as flexible. The new legislation allows employees to work up to 13 hours a day, with a maximum of 48 hours a week, but with a 40% bonus for overtime. Although the Ministry of Labor claims that overtime will be voluntary, unions warn that employers will have the advantage in negotiations. This measure is criticized for potentially legalizing abuses regarding overtime and could lead to burnout and workplace accidents. Greece faces an unemployment rate of 8.1% and some of the lowest wages in the EU, which forces many Greeks to have two jobs to cope with the cost of living.