With the offer received recently Reducing the working day With this decision put on the table by the Sumar party, Spain is facing a very important moment in its labor history. In a country where only half of workers spend a full 40-hour day, the new landscape promises to be revolutionary, but not all workers are celebrating, as the Ministry of Labor explains.
According to statistics, many Spaniards are working partial dayswith programs that do not reach traditional ones 40 hours per week. This reality could change drastically with Sumar’s proposal to the next legislature. So what exactly does this change involve?
Within the framework of political negotiations, POSE and Sumar outlined a bold plan. Both sides reached a point programmatic agreement For the coalition government. The jewel in the crown: a reduction in working hours that will not affect fees and this will lead to workers completing 37.5 hours per week by 2024. This is just the beginning. On the horizon is the ambition to extend this reduction in working hours to 32 hours a week, a dream long pursued by workers, while always keeping collective bargaining in mind. unions.
However, this transition, which at first glance seems beneficial for everyone, has its own nuances. The proposal would primarily affect those working more than 37.5 hours per week. With a national average of 33.5 working hours, many workers either take advantage of the terms of the contract workers’ situation or they are already below this threshold because they are civil servants. For them, Sumar’s proposed reduction in working hours will not represent a direct change in working lives. The same goes for those who, as employed workers, are currently adjusting to working 37.5 hours or less.
However, not everyone welcomes this reduction in working hours. businessmen And self-employment They raised their voices in protest. Lorenzo Amor, president of the National Federation of Self-Employed Workers (ATA), was quick to express his concern. According to Amor, the agreement between PSOE and Sumar will create an “increase in costs” for companies and the self-employed. At a time when many businesses are already facing financial difficulties, Offering the same salary for fewer hours creates serious difficulties.
Reducing working hours is emerging as one of the most discussed topics in the coming months. The debate is open and opinions are diverse. While some employees celebrate the prospect of better balancing their work and personal lives, others, especially in the business sector, worry about the economic repercussions. What is certain is that Sumar’s proposal raised the issue of reduction work day center stageand the future of Spain’s workforce is at stake.