German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has ignited a fierce national debate by challenging Germany’s 46-million-strong workforce to rethink its work ethic. In a striking historical irony, Merz is holding up Greece—once the target of German “lazy South” tropes—as the premier example of how to sustain national prosperity through increased labor volume.
The Greek work model: More hours, more days, more pay
Merz’s praise for Greece isn’t just about general effort; it is a direct nod to Greece’s aggressive new labor policies designed to combat a shrinking workforce and a “brain drain” of skilled labor.
In July 2024, Greece became the first EU nation to introduce a six-day workweek for certain industries (manufacturing and 24/7 services) with extra pay. This allows for a 48-hour week, bucking the global trend toward four-day models.
The move has been met with strikes and protests, with critics calling it “barbaric.” However, the Greek government defends the law as a “growth-oriented” necessity to curb undeclared work and address labor shortages—exactly the “growth” Merz claims Germany is now lacking.
Merz: Germany should take a look at Greece
Addressing industry leaders, Merz was blunt: “I recommend to everyone in Germany who finds it terrible and unreasonable to work 40 hours a week… to take a look at Greece. We can certainly learn something from them.”
Merz specifically cited 2024 data showing German workers take an average of 14.5 days of sick leave per year, calling the current “phone-in” sick leave system a “brake on economic growth.”
The Chancellor’s rhetoric signals a desire to import the flexibility of the recent Greek labor reforms.
Despite the praise, Merz faces a “Productivity Paradox.” While Greeks work the most hours in the EU according to OECD data, Germany still maintains higher efficiency per hour.
“Work-life balance and the four-day week will not be enough to maintain our level of prosperity,” Merz warned, labeling the current welfare state “unfundable” at current labor levels.
Related: Can Greece’s New Six-Day Workweek Really Work?