Greece lawmakers back plan to allow 13-hour work day

Greece's parliament on Thursday passed a contested reform that would allow 13-hour work days under exceptional circumstances. MPs spent two days debating the bill, proposed by the conservative government, amid stiff criticism from unions and opposition parties.

The government insists that the 13-hour workday is optional, only affects the private sector, and can only be applied up to 37 days a year. The new measure allows workers to do longer days for a single employer -- those with more than one employer could already work longer hours.