Spain takes major step towards four-day work week as trade unions give seal of approval – but will it become law? [Video]

SPAIN’S government and the country’s two biggest unions have struck a deal on a shorter working week with the same pay.

The agreement still has to be ratified by Congress, which could be tricky with the minority Sanchez government having to win the support of the Catalan business-friendly Junts party.

Labour Minister Yolanda Diaz and the leaders of the UGT and CCOO on Friday stressed the ‘historic’ nature of the accord.

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It means the maximum number of work hours per week will go down to 37.5 from the current 40, with wages unchanged, before the end of 2025.

Yolanda Diaz said: “Today, we’re settling a debt with the working people of Spain and with the new generations who understand that personal time is not a luxury, but a fundamental right.”

The planned change would affect some 12 million workers, especially those with precarious jobs, as well as reduce carbon emissions, …