Spain advances in the bill to reduce working hours to 37.5 hours

Spain could soon go to A shorter job in which workers would enjoy 2.5 hours more rest, after the government approved on Tuesday a bill that would reduce the work Week Official of 40 to 37.5 hours.

If approved, the bill, which will now be processed in the Spanish Parliament, would benefit 12.5 million workers full and partial time of the private sector and is expected to improve productivity and reduce absenteeism, according to the country’s ministry of labor.

“Today we modernize the world of work and help people to be a little happier,” said Labor Minister Yolanda Díaz, who heads the Semar Left Party, which is part of the current Coalition government.

The measure, which already applies to officials and some other sectors, It would mainly affect retail trade, manufacturing industry, hospitality and constructionDíaz added.

A proposal to add that it has the support of the unions

The Government of Pedro Sánchez It does not have a clear majority in Parliament, where the project must be approved to become law. The main unions They have expressed their support for the proposal, unlike business associations. Add, the leftist minority partner From the Socialist Party of Sánchez, he proposed the bill.

He Catalan Nationalist Party Juntsoccasional ally of the coalition of Sánchez, expressed concern for what, in his opinion, would be negative consequences for small businesses and self -employed with a shorter work week.

Spain has a 40 -hour work week since 1983

The coalition will have to balance the demands of JUNTS and other smaller parties to get the bill to be approved. Spain has one 40 -hour work week since 1983when 48 hours were reduced.

Following the Covid-19 pandemic, measures have been taken to change work habits, and have been launched Several pilot programs in Spain to potentially introduce a four -day work week, Including a minor test in Valencia.

The results of the program, lasting one month, suggested that the workers had benefited from longer weekendsdeveloping healthier habits, such as sports, and reducing their stress levels.