Greece’s conservative government has sparked massive protests with its plan for a 13-hour workday. As a result, thousands of Greeks joined a 24-hour general strike.

In Athens, the protests brought the city to a standstill. Moreover, transport services like ferries and trains stopped running. Teachers, hospital staff, and civil servants also joined the strike. According to police, more than 8,000 people protested in Athens and Thessaloniki. In addition, other cities saw demonstrations.

Notis Skouras, from the hairdressers’ union, warned, “With this law, workers will no longer have a private life and for what? To satisfy employers and increase their profits!”

Furthermore, the main unions GSEE and ADEDY led the strike. They argued that the reform “endangers the health and safety of workers and destroys the balance between professional and personal life.”

What the Government Proposed

The plan comes from Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’s government. It allows employees to work 13 hours a day under special conditions. In return, workers would get extra pay. However, the bill has not yet reached parliament.

Defending the idea, Mitsotakis said many young workers with two jobs want longer hours to earn more. He argued, “We guarantee freedom of choice for both the employer and the employee. Why would that be antisocial?”

In addition, Labour Minister Niki Kerameus described the measure as “exceptional.” She stressed it would apply only with the worker’s consent. She explained that it could be used for up to 37 days per year with 40 percent higher pay.

Anger and Opposition

On the other hand, critics strongly opposed the plan. They warned it would exhaust workers and increase the risk of accidents. Moreover, the Communist Party–aligned union Pame denounced the plan as “modern-day slavery.”

Therefore, the protests highlighted the deep anger across Greece as workers demanded the government protect their health and private lives.