On 12 May, the Greek government detailed a wide-ranging reform of labour law that encompasses working time, teleworking, the right to disconnect, paternity leave, strike action and platform workers. Although the Minister of Labor, Kostis Hatzidakis from the right-wing New Democracy party that has been in power since 2019, presented the bill as a step forward for employees, it has been sparking protests since the beginning of the month, with protest especially focusing on the increase in working hours element. The trade unions and the left-wing opposition also criticise the consequential weakening of the labor bodies and collective bargaining to the benefit of the individual employment contract.
More working hour flexibility. Since its announcement, strongest opposition has been levied against the reform point that provides for the end of the legal 8-hour working day. As announced in November (c.f. article No.12204), the bill raises this ceiling to 10 hours, leaving the possibility of working less on subsequent days, which since 2010 was already possible upon signature of a company agreement. Maximum annual overtime, currently set at 96 hours in industry and 120 hours in other sectors,
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