On July 1, Greece introduced a six-day work week for some categories of employees. The new legislation seeks to boost productivity as the country faces an aging, shrinking population.

With Canada also facing similar demographic challenges, some people may be wondering if we’ll see the same thing happen here.

Today in The Conversation Canada, Constantin Colonescu from MacEwan University discusses why a six-day work week is not the answer for Canada.

As a country’s population ages, the working population needs to produce more to support those who are no longer working. However, Colonescu argues that forcing younger workers to work more is not the solution.

Instead of following Greece’s example, he writes that Canada should focus on other, more reliable methods of increasing productivity, like providing more incentives for innovation.

“There is still time to build a solid and sustainable plan to avoid a collapse of the pension system,” he writes. “Instead of fearing a decreasing population, we should embrace it.”

Also today:

• Joe Biden’s refusal to step aside illustrates the political dangers of ‘death denial’
• Young children with disabilities are excluded from national physical activity monitoring. That needs to change.
• Frank Stronach allegations highlight harassment in the workplace