Spain introduces the world’s first four-day work week… “Experimental project discussion”

Input 2021.03.15 21:08

The British Guardian reported on the 15th (local time) that Spain is promoting the world’s first pilot project of a four-day work week system at the government level.

On that day, the Guardian cited an official from the Spanish Ministry of Industry and said that the government discussions on the pilot project of the 4-day working week system are in the early stages. This move is due to the government’s acceptance of a pilot project proposal from a small progressive party, Mas Pais (more countries).

Mars Pais proposed a plan to implement a four-day work week system for the next three years for desired companies. The government compensates in full in the first year of the business, 50% compensation in the second year, and 33% compensation in the last year. Mars Pais set a total project cost of 50 million euros (about 66.7 billion won).

Mas Pais told The Guardian, “It is predicted that about 200 companies and 3,000 to 6,000 workers will participate.” A government official said that as the discussion is in the beginning, detailed matters such as cost, number of participating companies, and schedule have not been decided yet.

The Guardian explained that the 4-day work week system is attracting worldwide attention as interest in personal well-being and work-life balance has increased due to the Corona 19 incident.

Mas Pais said, “Spanish workers work more than the European average, but we are not on the axis of a highly productive country,” he said. “Working a lot doesn’t necessarily mean they’re doing better.” He said, “In fact, when’Software Dell Sol’ introduced a four-day work week last year, absenteeism decreased, productivity and worker happiness increased.”

However, the Guardian said that some of the business circles are criticizing that reducing working hours during the economic downturn caused by the Corona 19 crisis is’crazy’. Ricardo Murr, chairman of the Aragon branch of the CEOE, Spain’s largest economic organization, said in a forum late last year, “If you want to get out of the crisis, you have to do more and not less.”