Greece’s labor ministry this week released data on the implementation, during the first half of July, of extraordinary or emergency work shifts in eligible businesses, namely, those with continuous 24/7 operation in specific sectors.
According to the report, only 0.44% of such businesses and their affiliates applied for the measure, allowing for six-day work weeks.
Out of these applications, just 17.4% met legal criteria, accounting for a mere 0.076% of all outlets nationwide.
Specifically, up to July 15, the a ministry online platform recorded:
• A total of 326,482 employers across the country employing wage-earners under full-time contracts, with 382,775 affiliated branches.
• 690 businesses applied for six-day work shifts across 1,671 affiliates, representing the aforementioned 0.44%.
• Of the 1,671 that applied, 291 complied with legal requirements, which include continuous 24/7 operations or 24-hour shifts over 5 or 6 days.
• In cases of non-compliance with the law using this measure, the work provided by employees is deemed illegal, and the prescribed sanctions are applied.
The Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Security, Panos Tsakloglou, recently emphasized that Greece does not permit a universal six-day work week. He emphasized that the more elastic work shift measure is strictly intended for continuous operation businesses, with certain exclusions for catering and tourism sectors.
