The Need for a New Work Era
More than four decades ago, Spain experienced a significant reduction in weekly working hours, from 48 to 40 hours. This transition was not only viable, but also demonstrated that the economy and businesses could thrive in a new paradigm. Today, the idea of reducing working hours is gaining momentum again, with the promise of improving the living conditions of workers.
A Context of Profound Changes
The world of work has changed dramatically since the 1980s. Technology has transformed the way we operate, but GDP and productivity growth has not been reflected in a proportional increase in wages. Between 1990 and 2022, hourly productivity grew by 30%, while real wages only increased by 11.5%. This economic inequality demands an urgent review of the current model.
The Claim to Work for a Living
The demand for fairer and more balanced working conditions has become a social cry. The idea of ’working to live’ and not ‘living to work’ is becoming increasingly prominent, reflecting a need to prioritize personal and family life.
Impact of the Reduction of the Working Day
The implementation of a reduced working day could benefit nearly 13 million workers in Spain, with a notable impact in Catalonia. This would not only improve wages, but also increase quality of life, reduce occupational risks and promote work-life balance.
Working Conditions and Time Recording
Establishing a rigorous system of recording working hours is essential to prevent exploitation. It is currently estimated that millions of unpaid overtime hours are worked, a phenomenon that needs to be addressed urgently.
Towards a Sustainable Economy
Collective bargaining has been key to moving towards fairer working conditions in many sectors. However, sectors with precarious working conditions urgently need a legal reduction of the working day to 37.5 hours. Decent working conditions are essential to meet future challenges, such as the ecological and digital transitions.
A Vision of the Future
The immediate goal is to establish a 37.5-hour workday, with the aspiration of reducing it to 35 hours in the future. Political parties that ignore these social needs will have to be held accountable to their voters.
