Fierce Clash in Greek Parliament Over 13-Hour Workday Bill

A heated showdown erupted in Greece's Parliament yesterday between the government and opposition parties over a controversial new labor bill, with the spotlight firmly on provisions allowing up to 13 hours of daily work. The debate raged late into the night and will resume today, culminating in a roll-call vote on Thursday morning.

The plenary session, convened to discuss the Ministry of Labor's proposed law, saw opposition lawmakers denounce the bill in scathing terms. Parties like the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) demanded its immediate withdrawal, branding it a rollback of workers' rights. Labor Minister Niki Kerameos staunchly defended the legislation, accusing opponents of spreading misinformation to mislead the public.

The 13-Hour Controversy at the Core
The bill's most contentious element – the so-called "13-hour workday" – drew the fiercest criticism. Kerameos rebutted opposition claims head-on, insisting no such mandatory extension exists.

"Instead of workers commuting to a second job with no extra pay – treated as part-time employment – this gives them the option to extend their current shift without leaving the workplace, plus a 40% pay premium," she explained. "Can this happen every workday? No. It's limited to 37 days per year – about three days a month. That's why calling it a '13-hour workday' is deliberately misleading, implying everyone will toil 13 hours daily."

"Dismantling Workers' Rights, Thread by Thread"
PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis framed the bill as part of a broader assault on labor protections. "The 13-hour shift didn't come out of nowhere – it's the next link in a systematic dismantling of workers' rights," he declared. "You're unraveling the sweater of labor safeguards, stitch by stitch, provision by provision."

Androulakis proposed a "new social contract" for Greece, warning of a lingering scar from the 2010s debt crisis: "Beyond the economic fallout, it entrenched a low-confidence Greece, devoid of the bold convergence goals we once pursued with Europe."

"Medieval Labor" and "Zombie Workers"
SYRIZA President Alexis Tsipras labeled the bill a "medieval labor law." Deputy Sokratis Famellos slammed the government for Greece's grim worker realities: longer hours than the EU average, yet lower pay that leaves families struggling. "You titled it 'Fair Work' – that's the sick twist of your imagination," he said.

KKE General Secretary Dimitris Koutsoumpas went further, calling it a recipe to turn people into "zombies." "Workers aren't choosing 13 hours – they're forced by necessity," he stressed. "Average wages are still 9% below 2011 levels, with real income slashed by 28%. This bill stretches work hours while ignoring the crisis."

Roll-Call Vote Set for Thursday
Debate continues today, with a nominal roll-call vote on all articles scheduled for Thursday morning – a demand initially from opposition parties. Kerameos countered by calling for a full roll-call, chiding foes for fixating on the 13-hour clause while ignoring the bill's "positive provisions" for workers, such as enhanced protections elsewhere.

As Greece navigates post-crisis recovery, this battle underscores deep divides over balancing economic flexibility and employee safeguards – a debate watched closely by EU partners and Greek expatriates worldwide. Stay tuned for voting results.

(Source: To Vima)