Spain may soon adopt a shorter workweek, allowing workers an additional 2.5 hours of rest each week, following the government's approval of a bill aimed at reducing official working hours from 40 hours to 37.5 hours.
If enacted, the bill will proceed to the Spanish parliament for approval and is expected to benefit approximately 12.5 million full-time and part-time private sector workers. The Ministry of Labour anticipates that the measure will enhance productivity and reduce absenteeism.
Labour Minister Yolanda Díaz, who leads the left-wing coalition party Sumar, stated, "Today, we are modernising the world of labour and helping people to be a little happier." The proposed reduction in working hours, which is already in effect for civil servants and certain other sectors, would primarily impact industries such as retail, manufacturing, hospitality, and construction.
However, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's government does not hold a clear majority in parliament, where the bill must be approved for it to become law. The main trade unions have expressed support for the proposal, while business associations have shown opposition.
The bill was proposed by Sumar, which is the hard-left minority partner of Sánchez’s Socialist Party. The Catalan nationalist party Junts, an occasional ally of Sánchez’s coalition, has voiced concerns regarding the potential negative effects of a shorter workweek on small businesses and self-employed individuals.
The coalition will need to navigate the demands of Junts and other smaller parties to successfully pass the bill. Spain has maintained a 40-hour workweek since 1983, when it was reduced from 48 hours.
In the context of changing work habits following the COVID-19 pandemic, various pilot programs have been initiated in Spain to explore the introduction of a four-day workweek. A smaller trial conducted in Valencia indicated positive outcomes for workers, who reported benefits such as longer weekends, healthier habits including increased participation in sports, and reduced stress levels.
