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Yahoo
an hour ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Why and where are weekly working hours dropping in Europe?
Workers in Europe have been gradually putting in fewer hours. Over the past 10 years, the average time spent working per week has declined by one hour in the EU. In nearly half of 34 European countries, the drop was even greater — more than one hour between 2014 and 2024. Weekly working hours also vary significantly across the continent. So, in which European countries do people spend the most time at the grindstone? How has actual working time changed across the region? And what could be the possible reasons behind this decline? According to Eurostat, in 2024, the actual weekly working hours for both full-time and part-time workers aged 20 to 64 in their main job ranged from 32.1 hours in the Netherlands to 39.8 hours in Greece. When including EU candidate countries, EFTA members, and the UK, the highest figure was recorded in Turkey (43.1), where average weekly working time exceeded 43 hours. People in Southern and Eastern European countries tend to work longer hours, with particularly high figures in EU candidate countries. Following Turkey, which tops the list at 43.1 hours, are Serbia (41.3) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (41.1). Montenegro hasn't reported data for 2024, although its working hours came to 42.8 in 2020. The next countries in the ranking also belong to the same region: Greece (39.8) and Bulgaria (39). North Macedonia, which only has data spanning up to 2020, also recorded a weekly working total of 39 hours. These countries generally have lower wages, higher informal employment, and less part-time work. Western and Northern European countries generally have shorter work weeks. Countries like the Netherlands (32.1), Norway (33.7), and Austria and Denmark (33.9) all report significantly fewer weekly working hours. These regions are characterized by strong labour protections, higher productivity, and widespread use of part-time and flexible work arrangements. Among Europe's largest economies, the UK and Spain (both at 36.4 hours) and Italy (36.1) report the highest average working times, all above the EU average. However, the UK data dates back to 2019, so the actual figure may be lower today, given the overall downward trend in working hours. When comparing weekly working hours in 2014 and 2024, only four out of 34 countries saw an increase. In three of these countries, the rise was minimal: Lithuania and Cyprus (both by 12 minutes), and Malta (6 minutes). Serbia was the exception, with a significant increase of 1.7 hours — 1 hour 42 minutes. Related How to boost productivity and slash turnover: Tips from three 'chief happiness officers' Four-day week: Which countries are embracing it and how is it going so far? Weekly working time remained unchanged in France, while the decrease was less than half an hour in Italy, Sweden, and Latvia. In 16 out of 34 countries, weekly working time fell by more than one hour — exceeding two hours in some cases. Iceland (3.5 hours) closely followed Turkey (3.8 hours) at the top. Belgium and Luxembourg also recorded significant declines, with a reduction of 2.5 hours each in weekly working time. In a further seven countries, weekly working hours declined by 1.5 hours or more. These include Denmark and Austria (both 1.9), Germany (1.8), Estonia (1.7), Czechia (1.6), and Portugal and Croatia (1.5). Scholars and experts have been examining the reasons behind the decline in weekly working hours, offering various explanations. A recent working paper published by the European Commission analysed work time trends in six EU countries between 1992 and 2022. Sergio Torrejón Pérez and his colleagues found that: Decline in working time is primarily linked to the growing prevalence of non-standard forms of work, mainly part-time work. Part-time jobs have grown mostly because more women are working and because more jobs are in service industries. Full-time workers are working more or less the same amount of hours as in the 1980s. Self-employed people are working fewer hours over time because more of them are working part-time. Even so, they are still working the longest hours on average. A paper published by the European Central Bank analysed working time in the euro area from 1995 to 2020. Vasco Botelho and his colleagues emphasised that the decline in hours contributed per worker is a long-term trend. One reason is that technological progress over the past 150 years has transformed the nature of work. They found that other key factors include the rising share of part-time employment, and the increase in female labour force participation, which is also closely linked to the growth of part-time work. The decline in working time is driven by both demand and supply-side factors, according to the ECB report. Most part-time workers choose this arrangement voluntarily, opting to work fewer hours than full-time employees. In the overall sample, about 10% of workers reported that they would prefer to work more hours than they currently do. Another working paper from the IMF by Diva Astinova and her colleagues also found that declines in actual working hours match declines in desired working hours in Europe. 'Increased income and wealth is likely to be the main force behind the decline in desired and actual hours worked,' they suggested. In other words, researchers proposed that people feel less of a financial pull to put in more hours.
The Sun
10 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
How Greek island Lesbos stopped migrant invasion using controversial yet effective ‘pushback' deterrent hailed by locals
AS the influx of illegal migrants to Britain's shores shows no sign of abating, something very different is happening 2,000 miles away on the Greek island of Lesbos. Here, just seven miles across the Mytilini Strait from Turkey, the number of crossings has shrunk, thanks to a controversial but extremely effective deterrent. 7 7 7 At its peak ten years ago, up to 3,500 migrants a day landed on Lesbos, having made the perilous journey across the Aegean Sea in makeshift boats and cheap dinghies. But now, thanks to Greece's robust policy of 'pushbacks' — intercepting the boats and returning them to Turkish waters — that number has plummeted to just 1,700 so far this year. Aegean Boat Report, a Norwegian non-governmental organisation that monitors migrant flows in the area, says Turkey also regularly intercepts boats before they reach the Greek Islands and returns them to the mainland. Campaigners have slammed the practice, claiming it is illegal, but locals say the crackdown has saved the scenic holiday retreat from economic disaster — and most importantly, it has saved lives. Fisherman Thanassis Marmarinos recalls the horror of seeing the bodies of migrants in the sea before Greece's hardline anti- immigration government was elected in 2019. Floating corpses He said: 'It was extremely bad before, I can't imagine it being any worse. 'Every day there were thousands of migrants crossing. 'For five months I couldn't make any money because I would spend all my time trying to stop them drowning. 'People were asking for help and they were dying in the water, so I had no other option. 'I saw the corpses floating in the sea with my own eyes. 'In 2015 there was only one coastguard ship and they were overwhelmed, so I and four other fishermen did what we could to help save lives. 'The smugglers were charging about 2,000 euros per person for the 90-minute sailing to Lesbos. 'But to save money they were giving the migrants cheap, Chinese-made boats that had two sections to their engines — one full of fuel, the other full of water, so they would stop working halfway.' In 2015, triggered by war and political unrest in the Middle East and Africa, the refugee crisis had one of its deadliest years for small-boat crossings. A total of 805 people drowned as they tried to cross what is dubbed the Eastern Mediterranean corridor by Frontex, the European Union's border and coastguard agency. An incredible 800,000 landed in Greece the same year, 60 per cent of them reaching Lesbos, according to the UNHCR, the UN's refugee agency. Since then, Frontex has expanded hugely, from a small administrative office in Warsaw to the EU's biggest agency, with 10,000 armed guards backed by helicopters, drones and ships and with an annual budget of more than a billion euros. Another six billion euros has been paid to Turkey to boost border security, and unlike Britain's £500million three-year deal with France, it has led to a sharp fall in people-smuggling. 7 7 Last year 54,000 small-boat migrants reached the Greek Islands from Turkey, and as we reported last week, Frontex has recorded a further 29 per cent fall in irregular migration through its Eastern Mediterranean border in the first quarter of this year. Fewer crossings have led to a fall in fatalities of more than 75 per cent since 2015, with 191 asylum seekers reported missing or dead in the same area last year. This is despite the Greek government banning charities and individuals from helping small-boat migrants while they are at sea — another key difference from the UK, where 1,371 people crossing the Channel were rescued by the RNLI last year. On Lesbos, new arrivals are not given a hotel room, and currently around 1,100 people are being housed in containers at the Closed Control Access Centre on the north east coast, where the provisions are basic. Sometimes when refugees reach here, they catch them, put them on a boat and drop them in the middle of the ocean on a life raft. Joaquin O'Ryan This is in contrast to two years ago, when up to 5,000 people had their claims processed there, while 20,000 were held in the island's old Moria 'camp of shame' before it was destroyed by fire in 2020. Fisherman Thanassis, 72, is one of the many islanders who believe that the election of the hardline New Democracy party in 2019, when Kyriakos Mitsotakis became Greece 's Prime Minister, was a turning point. He said: 'Everything changed when New Democracy was elected and they started sending the migrants back to Turkey. 'After that it became a bad deal to pay to cross to Greece, because you would end up back where you started.' When The Sun visited this week, there was not a single sea arrival on Lesbos, despite the Aegean being perfectly calm. Key to the change has been the decision to redesignate Turkey as a 'safe third country' for asylum-seekers. But charities insist the pushbacks are illegal, and Frontex is currently investigating alleged human rights violations by the Greek coastguard. 7 7 A statement by Aegean Boat Report said: 'Systematic human rights violations at the Greek sea border have been ongoing for over five years. 'Almost 100,000 people have been illegally and violently removed from Greek territory and pushed back towards Turkey, over 1,000 people have been killed in these illegal operations.' Joaquin O'Ryan, of humanitarian group Europe Cares, which provides meals and activities for people living in the CCAC camp, said: 'These pushbacks are illegal but it's a systemic process — they are not being carried out by just one person — so they can do whatever they want, basically. 'Sometimes when refugees reach here [Lesbos], they catch them, put them on a boat and drop them in the middle of the ocean on a life raft.' The Lesbos coastguard now has around half a dozen frigates, some supplied by Frontex, and most of the islanders we spoke to support the tough action being taken by the authorities. Waiter Kristos Condeli, 60, said: 'Tourism was completely destroyed for a few years after 2015. 'The cruise ships stopped coming here because they didn't want passengers to see corpses floating in the sea. 'There were thousands of migrants coming here and some of them resorted to stealing to survive. 'It got to the point that it was no longer safe to leave your bag in your car as someone would smash the window and steal it. 'UK could learn a lot' 'With no tourists, there was very little work for waiters. 'I had to relocate to Corfu to make a living and I've only recently been able to move back. 'The number of migrants crossing is down significantly in recent years and it's all thanks to the coastguard and Frontex, who are doing a fantastic job. 'The UK could learn a lot from the things done here.' Receptionist Maria Dimitriou works at the island's Molyvos Hotel. She fears the migrant problem has been pushed further south to Crete, where 6,500 migrants from Libya in North Africa have landed in the last six months. She said: 'Before the crisis started, we had one of our best years for tourism. 'The hotels were full of visitors from Denmark, Norway, Holland, Belgium and the UK. 'When the migrants first started coming, the tourists said they wanted to help them. 'But the next year no one came back. 'I can only guess that they were put off by all the TV reports and they didn't want to risk seeing a dead body when they were on holiday. 'The drop in numbers almost destroyed the tourism industry in Lesbos. 'If it wasn't for weekend visitors from Turkey, this island would already be dead. 'In 2015 the refugees were everywhere. 'We felt sorry for the people from Syria, who were escaping a genuine war zone. 'After that, they were from everywhere and tell me, how can you be called a refugee when you are from Pakistan? 'The tourism industry is getting back to normal now and this hotel is close to full capacity for the next few months. 'But everyone is worried that, given what is happening in Iran and Palestine, the situation might get worse again.'
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Journalist predicts Osimhen will join Al-Hilal: Galatasaray ‘can't afford' Napoli striker
Italian journalist Ivan Zazzaroni predicts Victor Osimhen will join Al-Hilal: 'It's practically done.' Corriere dello Sport editor Zazzaroni claims that Napoli-owned striker Osimhen will join Simone Inzaghi's Al-Hilal this summer. Journalist says Osimhen will join Al-Hilal ISTANBUL, TURKEY – FEBRUARY 23: Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray gestures during the Turkish Super League match between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce at Rams Park Stadium on February 23, 2025 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by) 'I can tell you it's practically done, Osimhen will join Al-Hilal,' Zazzaroni told Radio Kiss Kiss via TMW. Advertisement 'Nobody else can match that offer, not even half. 40m per season is astonishing, out of the market. He didn't want to go for the Club World Cup, but Al-Hilal are very confident. That's it. Galatasaray can't even afford to pay half of that fee. There are no offers from the Premier League. It would be surprising if he doesn't go there.' Osimhen rejected first Al-Hilal offer ISTANBUL, TURKEY – NOVEMBER 7: Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray reacts during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Galatasaray A.S. and Tottenham Hotspur at Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi on November 07, 2024 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by) Initial talks between Osimhen and Al-Hilal collapsed when the Nigerian forward rejected a €30m-a-year contract offer earlier this month, but according to several sources in Italy, the Saudi Pro League giants have not yet given up. Advertisement Osimhen has a €75m clause included in his contract, but it's not valid for Serie A clubs. NAPLES, ITALY – APRIL 28: Victor Osimhen of SSC Napoli shows his disappointment after the Serie A TIM match between SSC Napoli and AS Roma – Serie A TIM at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on April 28, 2024 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by) The Nigeria international spent the 2024-25 campaign on loan at Galatasaray, where he scored 37 goals in 41 appearances across all competitions. The 26-year-old won the Turkish League this season and was named the league's best player. Osimhen played 133 games at Napoli, scoring 76 goals. His contract at the Stadio Maradona formally runs out in June 2026, but the Partenopei hold an option for a further extension to 2027.
Arab News
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Turkiye, US ride out the storm of regional tensions
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US President Donald Trump met on Tuesday for the first time since the latter's return to office in January. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the NATO Summit held in The Hague and came at a critical moment for Turkish-American relations. The talks between the two leaders were extensive and touched on key issues of mutual concern: the Israel-Iran truce, Ukraine-Russia negotiations, Gaza, Syria, and the F-35 fighter jet program. Each of these topics needs a particular focus. However, it is important to first analyze Ankara's reaction to the recent US strikes on Iran. When America carries out strikes in the region, it often affects everything from regional power dynamics to global markets and Washington's relations with its allies and rivals. Ankara's response to the US strikes on Iran was interesting for Turkiye observers. The attack came while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was visiting Turkiye. Araghchi held a rare press conference in Istanbul, directly addressing the Turkish media in the immediate aftermath of the strikes. Notably, he was not joined by a Turkish official, likely a deliberate move by Ankara to position itself as a neutral facilitator. Turkiye remains one of the few actors with viable backchannels to both Washington and Tehran. Given Turkiye's rapid responses to regional developments, its reaction to the strikes reflected a broader pattern of what I see as strategic restraint. Although the Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a strong statement expressing deep concern over the US attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, it stopped short of using the word 'condemnation.' This cautious wording appears calculated, as Turkiye aims to remain part of diplomatic efforts to de-escalate regional tensions and potentially host future negotiations. Prior to the US strikes, Ankara had been working to persuade Iran to return to the negotiating table, while also urging Washington to avoid military escalation with Tehran. Also, Erdogan spoke with Trump twice in mid-June, reiterating Turkiye's support for the US-led nuclear talks with Iran and offering to assist in broader diplomatic efforts. Turkiye aims to remain part of diplomatic efforts to de-escalate regional tensions and potentially host future negotiations Dr. Sinem Cengiz This measured and strategically calculated approach may be Ankara's best move in a volatile environment. Yet, the effectiveness of this approach depends heavily on the regional context. Why should Turkiye risk straining ties with Washington over a war that is not its own? Erdogan has significant expectations from the US on various dossiers. First and foremost, he is working to secure a meeting with Trump at the White House in the coming months. He also proposed hosting the 2026 NATO Summit — an important diplomatic opportunity for Ankara. Second, Erdogan hopes to position Turkiye as a venue for peace talks between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. This is an ambitious diplomatic goal, but Trump has reportedly expressed a willingness to attend such talks if Putin agrees. Third, Ankara is eager to maintain dialogue with Washington on Israel's genocidal war on Gaza — an issue overshadowed by the Israel-Iran war and the developments in Syria. Turkiye seeks to persuade Washington to end the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza. Fourth, Syria remains a critical sticking point in Turkish-American relations. While Erdogan welcomed Trump's lifting of sanctions on Syria, the continued US support for the Syrian Democratic Forces — which Ankara considers a terrorist organization that poses a threat to Turkiye's national security — remains deeply contentious. During the NATO Summit, Erdogan reportedly told Trump that, following the integration of SDF units into the Syrian national army, the continuation of US support would no longer be necessary. He emphasized that Syria, with Turkish backing, is capable of fighting Daesh and that American support should be gradually withdrawn. Another priority for Ankara is that it expects to see the ceasefire reached between Israel and Iran become permanent Dr. Sinem Cengiz In addition to the SDF issue and the US sanctions, the Israeli factor further complicates matters. The Israeli airstrikes on Syrian territory — carried out with Washington's knowledge — could become another challenging task in Turkish-American relations. Another priority for Ankara is that it expects to see the ceasefire reached between Israel and Iran become permanent. Erdogan's 45-minute meeting with Trump was reportedly dominated by this issue. A day before the US strikes on Iran, it was reported that Erdogan and Trump had quietly attempted to arrange US-Iran talks in Istanbul to deescalate the tensions. However, the plan collapsed not only due to the US strikes, but also because the Iranian supreme leader could not be reached to approve the meeting. Nevertheless, Ankara is expected to continue working toward US-Iran dialogue — not only to enhance its regional role but also because tensions directly impact its security and economy. Finally, Erdogan said Turkiye has not given up on acquiring F-35 fighter jets from the US and has conveyed its desire to rejoin the program, from which it was removed over its purchase of Russian defense systems. Turkiye wants to advance cooperation with the US in the defense industry to achieve the goal of a $100 billion trade volume. From Gaza and Syria to F-35s and US-Russia diplomacy, none of these issues can be resolved overnight. They require real political will on both sides and a mutual understanding of each other's expectations. Turkish-American ties are clearly taking a pragmatic direction and adopting a new dimension; yet these issues — some structural — will continue shaping the course of relations. So far, Turkiye has navigated its relations with the Trump White House with careful diplomacy and strategic restraint. This is mainly because the two leaders have told their teams to avoid any deterioration in Turkiye-US relations amid the contentious climate in the region. Whether their approach will yield results remains to be seen. • Dr. Sinem Cengiz is a Turkish political analyst who specializes in Turkiye's relations with the Middle East. X: @SinemCngz
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Juventus prodigy praises Real Madrid midfielder ahead of CWC showdown: ‘An extraordinary footballer'
Real Madrid made it through to the knockout phase of the FIFA Club World Cup with a crucial win over RB Salzburg to top Group H and it is safe to say that they performed well across the park en route the result. One player who has been crucial in Xabi Alonso's plans so far and can be regarded as one of the biggest beneficiaries of his arrival is Arda Guler, for the Turkish starlet is enjoying prominence he has never enjoyed before at the club. Advertisement In just three games so far under Alonso, he already averages 57 minutes per game and has a goal to his name in the tournament. Further, he averages a key pass in every game and completes 90% of his passes. Guler's compatriot speaks out In a recent interview, Juventus talent and Turkish international Kenan Yildiz opened up on his compatriot and spoke on how he is a very special player for both club and country. 'Arda Guler is an extraordinary footballer. He has a great future ahead of him at Real Madrid,' he said via La Gazzetta dello Sport. Making an impression at the Club World Cup. (Photo by) Advertisement Yildiz, after all, knows Guler very well from their time together in the national team. Given that the duo belong to the same age bracket, they will play alongside one another for years to come. In fact, the Juventus star was even linked with a move to Real Madrid last year as Florentino Perez saw Yildiz as a long-term bet to solve the team's attacking midfield problem. Now, however, Los Blancos are stacked in the department and do not need any new signings. Guler and Yildiz will, however, face off in the next round of the FIFA Club World Cup on Tuesday night at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami and it will be interesting to see which player outperforms the other. After all, a place in the quarterfinal of the competition will be at stake.
