Spain is one step closer to reducing its standard workweek, after the government approved a bill that would lower the current 40-hour week to 37.5 hours.
The proposal, which now heads to parliament for debate and approval, could affect approximately 12.5 million private sector workers across full-time and part-time roles, according to KTSM.
The government believes the reduced hours could enhance productivity and lower absenteeism. The change would primarily impact industries such as retail, hospitality, manufacturing, and construction — sectors not already covered by shorter-hour agreements that apply to civil servants and some other workers.
The initiative stems from the left-wing Sumar party, a junior partner in Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s governing coalition. While the country’s main trade unions have backed the proposal, business groups have voiced opposition, citing potential disruptions, particularly for small businesses.
Parliamentary approval remains uncertain. The coalition lacks an outright majority and must negotiate with smaller parties to push the legislation through. Among them, the Catalan nationalist party Junts has raised concerns about the potential burden on small enterprises and self-employed workers.
Spain last adjusted its national workweek in 1983, when it was reduced from 48 to 40 hours. If passed, this new reform would mark the first nationwide change in over four decades.
