The recent proposal to introduce a four-day workweek (35-hour workweek) has sparked a broader debate on labor issues.
As the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry notes in a statement , “for this public dialogue on such serious issues to be meaningful , it is necessary that studies and data analysis, and, above all, the views of those directly affected must have been taken into account."
“This specific proposal is being put forward at a time of significant labor market shortages and increased operating costs for businesses, while simultaneously overlooking the institutional role of social partners and collective bargaining through collective bargaining agreements.”
The Chamber also notes in a statement that: “International experience does not highlight the 35-hour workweek as the dominant model in Europe. On the contrary, in environments of low growth or labor shortages, reducing working hours tends to increase operating costs and burden the production process. Even in countries where it has been implemented, such as France, exceptions have been established that allow for exceeding the 35-hour workweek."
“For the Greek economy,”adds the EEA, “with high tax burdens, increased costs, bureaucracy, limited financing, and a shortage of staff, the blanket implementation of such a measure is not considered realistic. At least at this stage. The increase in costs, without a corresponding rise in productivity, is passed on to prices and particularly undermines the viability of small businesses.”
“The only scenario in which such a proposal might have any chance of being implemented is in a limited number of businesses and following dialogue with all stakeholders, and above all with respect for the role of social partners.
“Under no circumstances, however, can we adopt and proceed with the implementation of any intervention without first accurately assessing the consequences it will have for small and medium-sized enterprises and the Greek economy,” concludesthe EEA.