The Government of Greece has asserted its majority in Parliament to carry out its labor reform, which contemplates daily work days of up to 13 hours and which has been responded to on the streets with mobilizations and a general strike this week.
The initiative has resulted in 158 votes in favor and 109 against in a Parliament of 300 deputies. Members of the opposition SYRIZA party did not participate in the vote as a sign of protest against a law that, according to the Government, will improve the quality of employment and expand options for both workers and companies.
The main controversy revolves around working days of up to 13 hours, a path that is now open with a maximum of 37 days a year and with prior agreement between employer and employee. The unions, on the other hand, criticize the Executive of Kyriakos Mitsotakis for not betting on reducing the 40-hour week and for measures that favor wage increases.
The Greek Confederation of Workers maintains that many employees will lack the real opportunity to refuse to do those 13 hours given the “existing need and the power relationship that exists between the parties”, which would encourage “precariousness”.
