Spain to launch trial of 4 day working week - is it sustainable?

The Spanish government has agreed to a proposal from leftwing party Más País which will see a trial of the four day working week for companies interested in the idea.

Earlier this year, Más País announced that the Government had accepted its proposal for the idea. Since then, talks have been held, with the next meeting expected to occur within the coming weeks.

Iñigo Errejón of Más País wrote on Twitter: “With the four day work week (32 hours), we’re launching into the real debate of our times.

“It’s an idea whose time has come.”

‘Working more hours does not mean working better’

Around the world, the concept of the four day week has been gaining traction. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has also suggested that employers should think about implementing the four day week “if that’s something that would work for your workplace”.

Spain was one of the first western European countries to adopt the eight hour workday following a 44 day strike in Barcelona in 1919.

Errejón said: “Spain is one of the countries where workers put in more hours than the European average. But we’re not among the most productive countries.

“I maintain that working more hours does not mean working better.”

‘No loss of salary or jobs’

While the exact details of the trial are still to be ironed out, the Más País party has suggested a three year, €50 million project that would allow for companies to try out the reduced hours with minimal risk.

So for example, a company’s involvement in the four day week would be covered at 100 per cent for the first year, 50 per cent for the second year and 33 per cent the third year.

Héctor Tejero of Más País said: “With these figures, we calculate that we could have around 200 companies participate, with a total of anywhere from 3,000 to 6,000 workers.