44.4% of voters in our survey think that “in practice it would be very difficult to implement this measure” and 33.3% believe that its approval would be “harmful”.
The controversial measure proposed by the government to reduce the working week from 40 hours to 37.5 The initiative is also causing concern in the logistics sector. Although the initiative has not yet been approved, recent negotiations between the Ministry, unions and companies – which will meet once more today – are worrying companies in the sector, who see the implementation of this measure as unfeasible.
According to a survey launched by this media last week, we have been able to verify the reluctance of the sector to reduce the working day. While the 44,4% of voters think that “in practice it would be very difficult to implement this measure”, a 33,3% of them believes, directly, that their approval and implementation would be “harmful” to the sector.
A minority of voters (22,2%) differs from the rest, ensuring that they consider the reduction of working hours as a beneficial measure.
For and once morest: Why?
Among voters who are once morest the measure, the majority point out that its adoption would bring regarding one main problem: cost increase for companies. “The measure would not have a great impact if it were in line with the increase in productivity […] “It will be detrimental because it will lead to increased costs,” explained one of the voters.
“Customers will not want to reduce loading and unloading times on our platforms, which will mean we will have to hire more people, even though we know we will not be able to increase rates,” added another.
In addition, some voters also highlight that this measure is negative for a sector such as logistics, where there are usually several shifts and peaks of activity very marked, which, added to the lack of staffwould mean increased pressure and costs for companies.
Another part of the sector sees the approval of this measure as positive, since they assure that, in addition to improving work-life balance, it will also improve conditions of workers, who must receive extra income for the additional hours they perform their duties.
Another of those in favour of reducing working hours points to employers and the precarious conditions currently endured by some workers in the sector: “It is quite normal that employers are upset by the measure, especially given the amount of fraud and illegal work that exists in transport, as well as in the hospitality industry and in agriculture.”
Negotiations continue
This Monday, July 8, 2024, the Ministry will meet once more with the main unions and employers to continue negotiating the conditions of this measure. Initially, the government wanted to approve the reduction of the working day from 40 to 37.5 hours per week with a gradual implementation, which would reduce working hours to 37.5 hours. 38,5 in 2024 and until the 37,5 in 2025.
For now there is no agreement between the parties. The main point of disagreement is the economic compensation derived from the reduction of working hours. Another of the measures put on the table by the employers is the extension of the limit of the extraordinary hourswhich currently stand at 80.
The unions are, however, opposed to this measure, and the Executive has already announced that it will not accept a “fake” reduction in working hours. The parties will meet once more today to renegotiate the bases of the agreement. The Government is expected to present a new proposal the most conciliatory that can be achieved.
