Large a part of Greece was paralyzed on Thursday as workers across the country joined a general strike to protest a proposed labor reform.

The proposed reform which is being voted on within the Greek parliament next week has been slammed by unions and left-wing parties as an attack on the eight-hour workday.

More than 16,000 people took part in various demonstrations in Athens, with another 10,000 in Thessaloniki, organized by unions and opposition parties. “No matter what the govt does, this bill is condemned by workers,” the top of the communist KKE party, Dimitris Koustoumbas, told reporters.

Protesters carried banners with slogans such as “hands-off our 8-hour workday” and “slavery is not progressed.” Photos were shared over Twitter showed large numbers of protesters gathering in Athens.

The legislation suggests by the ruling conservative New Democracy party would make it possible for workers to figure up to 10 hours during a day getting a day off later in compensation.

Labor Minister Kostis Hatzidakis and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis have defended the proposed reform, saying it protects workers. They plan to follow Italy and France in solidifying workers’ rights to refuse or ignore work, including emails, on days off.