Spanish unions protest to push for reduced working hours deal

"The Spanish economy and companies can absolutely accept a reduction in overall working hours," Unai Sordo, leader of the CCCO union, told hundreds of protesters outside the headquarters of the CEOE business association in Madrid.

Members of the UGT and CCOO, Spain's two main unions, demonstrate to demand a reduction in working hours from 40 to 37.5 hours per week, in Madrid, Spain, September 26, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Violeta Santos Moura

“Technological advances in the way we work and produce absolutely enable this, while keeping wages the same and improving productivity,” he added.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's Socialist Party and its allies are trying to convince businesses to join plans to reduce the working week from 40 hours to 37.5 hours.

The European Union needs to narrow the productivity gap between its member states to compete with economic rivals such as the United States and China, according to a report published this month by former European Central Bank President Mario Draghi.

To secure business support, the Spanish government has proposed a hiring bonus for small businesses with fewer than 10 employees to compensate for reduced working hours while maintaining current service levels, according to a source involved in the negotiations.

The Madrid government can approve the reduction in working hours without consensus, and a senior government source said the plan would be implemented before the end of 2024.

The proposal would calculate the workweek on an annual basis, allowing workers in industries where shifts are difficult to adjust, such as hospitality, to accumulate hours to offset with days off.

According to Eurostat, the average Spanish working week will be 36.4 hours in 2023, more than the European Union average of 36.1 hours.

Labor Minister Yolanda Diaz said the reduction in working hours would boost productivity, an area where Spain lags behind other European countries. However, businesses are concerned that the proposal would mean employees would work fewer hours for the same pay.

The impact of similar measures in other countries is less clear. In 2000, France introduced a 35-hour workweek in the hope of creating hundreds of thousands of jobs. However, data shows that labor costs have risen, making companies less competitive.

Hong Hanh (according to Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/cac-cong-doan-o-tay-ban-nha-bieu-tinh-ve-viec-giam-gio-lam-post314132.html