On October 1, 2025, tens of thousands of workers across Greece staged a 24-hour nationwide strike, disrupting transport and public services in protest against a draft labor bill, reports 24brussels.
The strike, organized by Greece’s two largest unions, the General Confederation of Greek Workers and the Civil Servants’ Confederation, saw demonstrators calling for the withdrawal of measures regulating working hours, the restoration of collective bargaining rights, and shorter workweeks.
The proposed legislation would enable employers to require up to 13 hours of daily work, with employees compensated an additional 40% for the extended hours. Unions and workers have firmly opposed the plan, denouncing it as “a dystopia” that would worsen issues of burnout and overwork, according to SoMuchInfo.
Under Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ conservative administration, the Greek labor market has become one of the most flexible in Europe. Many workers are already compelled to work six-day weeks, and the draft bill would introduce provisions allowing for two hours of unpaid overtime per day for a limited time, in exchange for additional time off.
Public employees, teachers, healthcare staff, and port workers participated in the walkout, leading to nationwide ferry service suspensions, and limited operations for buses and the metro. However, air traffic remained unaffected following a court ruling deeming the air traffic controllers’ strike illegal.
Union leaders reiterated that working rights are “non-negotiable” and called on the Greek government to engage in dialogue with social partners. Opposition leaders expressed support for the workers’ demands during the rallies.
The draft labor bill, unveiled in July 2025, proposes extending working hours, introducing flexible contracts, and implementing a digital work card. Public consultation concluded on September 19. The government asserts the reform is intended to modernize the labor market and align regulations with European standards.
