Focusing on reducing the standard work week from 40 hours to 37.5, INE/GSEE presented the findings of a new public opinion survey today at a press conference during the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF).

The survey, conducted by Metron Analysis on behalf of the Institute of Labour (INE/GSEE) between August 25–30 among 806 private sector employees, found that:

• 84% of respondents view the reduction of working hours positively—a figure that climbs to 94% if the change is implemented without wage cuts.
• 55% prefer fewer working days, while 48% would rather work fewer hours per day (7.5 hours).

Long Hours and Overemployment

Yannis Balabanidis, head of research at Metron Analysis, noted that under the labor bill provision allowing up to 13 hours of work across one or two employers, 1 in 4 workers (a higher percentage among younger respondents) said they had already experienced this—half at the initiative of employers, half at their own.

When it comes to working up to 13 hours with a single employer, 67% of cases happen at the employer’s request.

• 56% oppose this arrangement, arguing that such long hours negatively affect their lives—particularly women—and discourage starting families, worsening demographic challenges.

Digital Work Cards and Leave

The survey also looked at the use of the digital work card:

• 1 in 2 workers currently use one, more commonly in manufacturing and trade than in services.
• 65% believe it helps enforce working-hour limits.

Regarding annual leave, more than half of employees said they take their vacation split across three periods, while in small businesses, leave is often granted in one block during summer.

Expert and Union Reactions

Stratos Fanariotis, head of Metron Analysis, commented that many young workers are forced to take on additional jobs to supplement low incomes. He called it “paradoxical” that in an era of technological progress and increased productivity, there is still discussion of extending working hours.

GSEE President Yannis Panagopoulos declared: “Working time is not a commodity—it is our very life.” He called for the withdrawal of the labor bill currently under consultation, stressing that excessive overtime, rotating shifts, and flexible-hour arrangements degrade work and exhaust employees.

Announcing upcoming strike actions focused on the labor bill and the cost-of-living crisis, Panagopoulos added:

“We need a social agreement aimed at reducing indirect taxes—or eliminating them on essential goods such as baby milk—indexing the tax scale to inflation, and addressing the explosive housing problem.”

Finally, the trade unions GSEE and EKΘ announced a rally tomorrow, Saturday, at 6 p.m. at the Venizelos statue in Thessaloniki, as part of the TIF mobilizations.