Four days on, three days off

After the Covid-19 pandemic, which emerged in China at the end of 2019 and spread all over the world in 2020, remote working and reducing working hours were on the agenda, especially in European countries. One of the first countries to start this practice was Belgium in November 2022.

Following Belgium, some northern European countries such as Sweden and Finland have also tried these programs. Earlier this year, Spain began trials of 4-day work weeks in 41 industrial companies.

PILOT SCHEME LAUNCHED IN PORTUGAL

According to Anadolu, the latest experiment in this regard came from Portugal. The leftist government in Portugal has announced the start of the 4-day work week pilot scheme in about 100 companies. Minister Ana Mendes Godinho noted that as per the decree that came into force on June 5, the practice of reducing the weekly work to 4 days without affecting salaries has started for employers and workers who want to participate voluntarily.

ABOUT 100 COMPANIES PARTICIPATED

According to the information given by the Ministry, about 100 companies participated in the pilot implementation of 4 days a week, which includes a reduction in weekly working hours from 40 to 32, and the budget for this program, which will cost a total of 350 thousand euros, will be covered by the Institute for Employment and Vocational Training.

Companies participating in the pilot program will share with the ministry information on company and staff productivity, intermediate costs, and employee welfare before, during and after the 4-day work week. The Portuguese government does not offer any advantages or subsidies to the companies and employees participating in the pilot program, leaving them free to make their own decisions.

Portugal is experimenting with the 4-day work week in different sectors, while in Spain there are ongoing debates on whether it should apply to all sectors.

Source: Anadolu Agency