In Greece, the situation is completely opposite to that in Spain. The neighboring country has undergone a reform that will affect all workers. The Government has imposed a new law that forces Greeks to work 48 hours a weekExperts warn that the legislation could undermine the most basic European standards for labour protection.

Greece is rowing against the tide in terms of employment. At the beginning of July, the Labour Reform came into force in the Hellenic country. The law imposes a six-day work week of forty-eight hours if the employer so decides. But the most important question is: To what extent is it mandatory to comply with the 48-hour work week?

“If it has already been published and has entered into force, it cannot be denied. Any worker who fails to comply could face disciplinary action. which could ultimately lead to the dismissal of the worker,” explained Carlos Lacaci, lawyer and managing partner of Lacaci Delgado Abogados.

The Greek government justifies the measure as a tool to combat informal work. For this reason, The law requires paying 40% more of the base salary for that sixth day of work or 115% if it is a holiday..

Despite the extra pay, it is not liked. Experts denounce that the regulation goes against the fundamental rights of workers in the European Union, such as the right to rest or the right to conciliation. This is what Raúl Olmos, deputy to the CCOO Trade Union Action Secretariat, has stated: “Completely against the right to conciliationto co-responsibility, completely against the right to rest.”

Brusselsfor now, has not been pronouncedin the face of a reform that, according to experts, violates the European Social Charter.