Longer working week for public sector staff

The new 40-hour working week for Greek public sector employees will be launched after the majority return from their summer holidays next Tuesday, after the August 15 bank holiday. A circular ordering the implementation of the new working week was sent out by Administration Reform and e-Government Minister Dimitris Reppas on Thursday.
 
The working week has been increased from 37.5 hours to 40, making it the same as that in the private sector, and applies to all permanent personell in the civil service and local authorities (except in cases where special regulations call for shorter work hours, such as for staff in sanitation).ana-mpa
 
It is also hoped that the additional work hours will help increase the productivity of services that come into direct and daily contact with the public.