The Government is working on a pilot project to introduce the 4-day working week

Working fewer days a week for the same pay. That program is now on the table. The Ministry of Industry has launched the project for public consultation with a budget of 10 million euros. It was a demand of More Country, the formation led by Íñigo Errejón, to support the General State Budget. The aim is to publish the call for grants until after the summer.

Many details remain to be defined. In principle, some 150 small and medium-sized enterprises could benefit from the aid and more than 3000 workers. Some 2,000 and 3,000 euros per year are considered per worker, being the smallest amount for larger companies. In addition, undertakings must undertake to maintain the reduction in working time for a minimum of two or three years.

The four-day workweek is on the table in several countries, not just in Spain. In the United Kingdom, there is already a programme in which some 70 companies study whether it is viable or not. In Belgium, too, but with a peculiarity: fewer days are worked but more hours. Workers will be able to reduce one day of work, from five to only four, but without reducing the hours worked. Thus, you can work up to 9.5 hours a day, extendable to 10 hours, by agreement between company and unions.

In Spain, some companies have already incorporated the four-hour working day. The last one was Telefónica. Workers may take part in the measure on a voluntary basis.

Written by BayRadio