Six-day week | Greece introduces longer work week to boost economic growth

Greece has become the first EU country to introduce a six-day working week for its citizens, citing a need for growth amid a shrinking population as the reason for the controversial move.

From Monday, the country, which was once worst impacted by the 2008 economic crisis, will begin a 48-hour working week to drive productivity.

This move is in direct contrast to the attitudes towards implementing a shorter, four-day week being seen in many other European countries.

The decision has been met with criticism from many unions. “It makes no sense whatsoever,” said Akis Sotiropoulos, a member of the civil servants’ union Adedy, told the Guardian. “When almost every other civilised country is enacting a four-day week, Greece decides to go the other way.”