Spain is considering reducing the working week to 37.5 hours

The Spanish government may reduce the working week to 37.5 from 40, as proposed by Yolanda Diz, Minister of Labour. 

This law will benefit over 12.5 million workers in private industry and should improve productivity as well as reduce absenteeism.

Diaz stated, “We modernise the world of work today and help people be happier.” 

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Diaz explained that this measure, which is already in place for civil servants, will primarily affect the retail, hospitality, manufacturing, and construction sectors.

While business associations oppose the bill, trade unions are in favor of it.

There’s no way to know if this bill will be passed since the government led by Pedro Sanchez doesn’t have a majority. 

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Especially the Catalan nationalist Junts has raised concerns about the impact this will have on small businesses, and the self-employed.

Spain has a 40-hour week since 1983 when it was reduced to 48 hours.

Spain is also exploring ways to change working habits. Pilot programs for a 4-day work week are among the options being explored.

The results showed that the workers who participated in the programme had developed healthier habits like taking up sports and reduced their stress.