Measure led by Minister Yolanda Díaz still needs to be approved by Parliament
The government of the announced, on Tuesday (04.FEV.2025), a proposal to reduce the weekly workday to 37.5 hours without changing the salaries of workers. The measure, which still needs to be approved by Parliament, is led by the Minister of Labor, Yolanda Díaz of the Sumar Party, and was presented as an executive decree by the office.
“This proposal is about living better, working less and being much more productive and economically efficient”Díaz said.
According to the minister, the proposal aims to improve workers’ quality of life and increase Spain’s productivity and economic efficiency. The project faces opposition in Parliament and the business sector.
Pedro Sánchez’s government, without a clear majority, depends on the support of smaller parties to pass legislation. Business associations and the Junts Party expressed concerns about the impact on companies. CEOE, employers’ representative, argued that change could increase costs and reduce competitiveness.
After months of negotiations, there was no consensus, with CEOE arguing that the reduction in the workday should be negotiated collectively.
“The corporate world is in favor of dialogue, but not monologues”said Antonio Garamendi, president of CEOE. Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo suggested delaying implementation to allow small businesses to adapt, generating tensions within the government.
