At a time when many countries are considering reducing the working week to four days, Greece’s conservative government has decided to go in the opposite direction. A wrong decision, say experts. And these are the main reasons
Without gains in productivity and a reduction in the unemployment rate, fueling a “brain drain” and risking widening the gap between rich and poor. This is how Portuguese experts see Greece’s decision to increase the working week to six days. 40 to 48 hours. A change, though voluntary, comes in a “counter-cycle,” according to those familiar with the matter.
“This decision by Greece is somewhat contradictory. And this is part of a backward mentality: the more time we dedicate to work, the better the results. This is wrong,” argues Gabriel Leid Motta, an economist specializing in the field of happiness economics.
This, he adds, is “counter-productive” and “counter-incentive”. Let us analyze this decision in six arguments with the help of experts.
Argument 1: Productivity
One of the Greek government’s arguments for this change is to increase productivity. Labor experts say that’s not the case, especially since studies of the four-day work week show gains on this indicator.
“All studies show that effective productivity does not increase,” warns Liliana Diaz, a psychologist specializing in well-being in organizations.
Because it’s one thing to spend too much time at work, it’s another thing to use it properly. Hence economist Pedro Braz Teixeira’s distinction: “Hourly productivity does not change as a result, total productivity increases because these people work more hours and therefore produce more.”
“This measure is very close to reality. It is not true that increasing working hours increases competitiveness. Quite the opposite”, adds Gabriel Light Motta.
This economist recalls that studies of four-day workweeks confirm “reduction in absenteeism,” implying improvements in personnel management and savings in hiring replacement workers.
Argument 2: “Brain Drain”
In a country like Greece, where the minimum wage is 830 euros, increasing working hours may pose another risk: “brain drain”.
The warning comes from Gabriel Leite Mota, who insists that the Greek government has a vision for “companies with low added value”.
“Sectors that bring value to the economy are cutting-edge sectors that require qualified human resources, are highly mobile” and are therefore competed by other employers around the world. If they face a long work week, this argument may weigh on their decision to leave the country.
Argument 3: The gap between rich and poor
“Even though it’s voluntary, all the studies show that people who join do so for economic reasons,” says psychologist Liliana Diaz. One point needs to be emphasized: a measure like Greece will accentuate the gap between high and low earners.
Yes, there are long hours of work in anticipation of a more relaxed life. But “expenditure in terms of health and availability of personal and social life”. “This will worsen inequalities”, he emphasizes. The highest earner does not have to submit from the start.
Economist Pedro Braz Teixeira has a slightly different view, noting that the gap won’t widen, saying, “If high earners don’t want to work more hours and low earners work, wages will end up.” [destas últimas] To come closer.”
However, he acknowledges that this is at the expense of extra effort by those with less. “If we talk to workers in Portugal and ask them what they want, a 35-hour reduction or a 15% increase, the majority would prefer 15%.”
Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of Greece (AP Photo/Paul White)
Argument 4: The Co-Economy
With the increase in inflation, some people sought second jobs, sometimes on an informal basis – called odd jobs. The Greek government argues that with this measure, it wants to improve working conditions while fighting the informal economy.
“As for undeclared work, which we call informal work, I don’t believe it will be addressed as such. It will be resolved first through more research,” notes Rita García Pereira, a lawyer specializing in labor law.
Another view comes from psychology, which shows that a second job can be more beneficial than focusing only on the main job.
“Science shows that when a person has another activity, it benefits their productivity in their core workplace. Brings increased motivation. It’s not restorative that we do the same thing all the time. A different activity that stimulates other demands, even if it’s work, can help us recover better.” It helps”, he says.
Argument 5: Unemployment
With the unemployment rate above 10%, experts warn that this measure will no longer reduce the indicator.
“If the company uses the workers it has, it will not hire more people,” summarizes Pedro Braz Teixeira.
There is a possible explanation for this result: by extending working hours, overtime – which in Portugal, for example, is more expensive than compulsory time – can be made more affordable for companies.
“If extra work is needed every day, it means they need to hire more people because in Greece, as in Portugal, the need for extra work is based on exceptional reasons,” says Rita García Pereira.
Argument 6: Exception
The extension of working hours in Greece only applies to certain sectors, such as factories or small businesses and companies providing non-stop services.
One exception: the tourism, hotel and restaurant sectors, one of the engines of the Greek economy. Gabriel Leid Motta believes the Greek government risks exacerbating the problem by applying a heavy workload to a sector with a “labour shortage”.
“The tourism sector is not going to be regulated because it already works in shifts and has a very intensive workload”, and Liliana Diaz tries.