In Greece, a 13-hour workday has been legislated.

Omissions

• The claim omits that the 13-hour workday is not the standard or mandatory working day but an exceptional allowance limited to a maximum of 37 days per year, only in the private sector, and optional for employees who may refuse overtime without risk of dismissal.
• The MEP does not mention that the standard 8-hour day and 40-hour week remain legally in place as the norm under Greek labor law.
• The claim frames the law as establishing a blanket 13-hour workday, whereas in practice it merely increases the daily overtime ceiling from 3 to 4 hours for a limited number of days per year.

Sources

• SecondaryBBC NewsGreece's parliament has approved a contested labour bill that would allow 13-hour workdays. The government insists that the longer workday is optional, only affects the private sector, and can only be applied up to 37 days a year. Annual overtime is capped at 150 hours, and the standard 40-hour week still remains in place.
• SecondaryPOLITICOThe new legislation stipulates that employees can work up to 13 hours per day on no more than 37.5 days per year, with a maximum limit of 48 hours per week, in line with EU rules.
• SecondaryLe MondeThe government insists that the 13-hour workday is optional, only affects the private sector and can only be applied up to 37 days a year. Greek lawmakers approved the introduction of a 13-hour workday.
• SecondaryIus Laboris (global employment law alliance)Four-day weeks and 13-hour days: Greece introduces major labour law reform introduced under Law 5239/2025. In practice, an employee may now work up to 13 hours a day for the same employer: eight hours of regular work and five hours of overwork and overtime.
• SecondaryEY GreeceLaw 5239/2025 'Fair Work for All': The Law introduces the possibility of providing up to four hours of overtime per day (i.e., a 13th working hour), either for one or for multiple days.