Greece has introduced a new law enabling a six-day work scheme which Greek officials say will specifically apply to private businesses providing round-the-clock services.

According to The Guardian the measure which came into force on July 1st, was decried as “barbaric” by unions.

Executive committee member of the civil servants’ union Adedy, Akis Sotiropoulos said it doesn’t make any sense to do it now.

“What the government is essentially saying is ‘go and work longer, we’ll turn a blind eye even if you’re a pensioner,’” said Grigoris Kalomoiris who heads the union of retired teachers (Pesek).

Greeks work the longest hours in Europe, putting in an average 41 hours a week according to the EU’s statistics agency, Eurostat, despite surveys also proving that they get paid much less overall.

Source: The Guardian

Firefighters fought the blazing flames from wildfires that broke out on the eastern Aegean islands of Chios and Kos on Monday, injuring five people.

Greece’s prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis warned of a dangerous summer ahead and noted the public’s help was essential in limiting the impact of the growing wildfires.

According to AP News, emergency services issued evacuation orders on Monday morning for people in the Metohi district of western Chios, directing them to a nearby beach. By the evening, more than 140 firefighters, eight wildfire-specific teams, seven water-dropping planes, and three helicopters were battling the blaze.

Fire department spokesman, Vasilis Vathrakoyiannis said two firefighters had been lightly injured, with dozens more firefighters heading to the island by boat from Lesbos and Athens. Another two firefighters and a volunteer had suffered non life-threatening burns.

Last year, extensive wildfires in Greece killed over 20 people.

Source: AP News