Spain Approves Historic Reduction of Working Week to 37.5 Hours Without Salary Cuts
In a landmark move, the Spanish government has approved a preliminary draft to reduce the legal working week from 40 to 37.5 hours without any changes to salaries. This proposal, championed by the coalition of leftist parties led by Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, is set to reshape the work-life balance for millions of spaniards.
The decision, made during the weekly meeting of the council of Ministers, was spearheaded by Labor Minister Yolanda Díaz, leader of the far-left party governing alongside the Socialists. Díaz, who has been a vocal advocate for workers’ rights, described the measure as a step toward modernizing Spain. “Today is a day that it is indeed worth being part of the Government of Spain,” she declared during a press conference. “Work is a medium, not a merchandise. People do not live to work, but work to live.”
This reduction marks the frist meaningful change to Spain’s working hours in over 41 years. Díaz emphasized that the move is not just about cutting hours but improving productivity. “The reduction of the working day will serve to improve productivity in our country. It is indeed not about taking hours at work, it is about being efficient at work,” she added.
Business Opposition and Challenges Ahead
While the proposal has been hailed as a victory for workers, it has faced strong opposition from business groups. The Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations (CEOE),representing two million companies and freelancers,argues that the reduction will increase costs for spanish businesses and reduce their competitiveness. Instead of a blanket legal mandate,the CEOE suggests collective bargaining to tailor the changes to the needs of individual companies and sectors.the draft legislation, which now heads to Congress for approval, was the result of an agreement signed on December 20 with Spain’s two largest workers’ unions, UGT and CCOO. However, employer organizations walked away from negotiations in mid-November after eleven months of unsuccessful talks.
The reduction will primarily impact around 12 million private sector workers, particularly in commerce, gastronomic services, and agriculture. Public sector employees and workers in large companies already operate under a 37.5-hour workweek.
A Global Perspective on Working Hours
Spain’s move aligns with a broader trend in Europe,where several countries have already adopted shorter working weeks. According to data from Eurostat, countries like the Netherlands (32.2 hours), Austria (33.6), and Germany (34.0) have some of the shortest working hours in the European Union. Simultaneously occurring, nations such as Türkiye (44.2 hours), Serbia (41.7), and Bosnia (41.4) exceed the 40-hour mark.
| Country | Average Weekly Working Hours |
|——————–|———————————-|
| Netherlands | 32.2 |
| Austria | 33.6 |
| Germany | 34.0 |
| spain (Proposed) | 37.5 |
| Türkiye | 44.2 |
What’s Next?
The challenge for the Sánchez government now lies in navigating a fragmented Congress, where it lacks an absolute majority. The proposal will require broad support to pass, making it a test of the coalition’s ability to forge alliances and deliver on its promises.
As Spain takes this bold step toward redefining work-life balance,the world watches closely. Will this move inspire other nations to follow suit? Only time will tell.
For more insights on global labor trends,explore how other countries are addressing working hours and productivity.
