The British media reported on Monday (15) that the Spanish government has agreed to a proposal by the left-wing party “More Nations” (Más País) to allow interested companies to try out a four-day work week, which, if successful, would make Spain the first country in the world to implement it, with aircraft mechanics being the first industry to test it, expected to begin this fall.
The above-mentioned political parties proposed that the plan could be implemented for three years on a trial basis, allowing companies to try to reduce working hours to four days a week, i.e. 32 hours, with minimal risk.
That is, 32 hours, and participating companies will receive government funding. Iñigo Errejón, the party leader, said 200 companies are expected to participate, involving 3,000 to 6,000 employees; the plan will cost 50 million euros (HK$460 million).
According to Erejón, “Spain’s workers’ hours exceed the European average without being one of the most productive countries, and I firmly believe that long working hours do not mean high efficiency.” The country’s business association described the idea as crazy, saying Spain is currently experiencing its worst recession since the civil war and needs workers to work more, not less, to get out.
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