Six-day work weeks may become standard for workers in the private sector, according to a leaked email sent to The Ministry of Labour from the troika on Friday.
The email called for several changes in labour regulations preceding the next bailout. Most significantly, it proposed a reduction in the cost of hiring and firing workers, and increased flexibility in worker schedules.
The troika suggested that employers should be able to fire employees more easily. Specifically, they proposed cutting by half the amount of notice that employees receive before being fired, from 4-6 months to 2-3 months. Similarly, they asked that the compensation workers receive upon retiring be reduced by at least 50 percent, if they receive another pension, and that compensation for workers who are fired be reduced by up to 50 percent.
In terms of worker flexibility, the troika called for looser regulations governing working hours, so that employees might work for six days a week, with a minimum rest between shifts of only 11 hours. They also proposed to lift restrictions on switching workers between morning and evening shifts.
The troika’s demands are expected to cause increased conflict in the already tense relations between the General Confederation of Greek Labour (GSEE) and the government.
Source: Athens News, le
