Belgium approves 4-day working day without reduction in weekly hours

This initiative seeks to clear the labor market by 80% by 2030

The Belgian government agreed to reduce the working day to 4 days per week, without reducing the corresponding hours. It was also known that workers may have the option to work more days a week and thus clear the schedule for the next one.

This information was released by the Prime Minister of Belgium, Alexander Croo, during a press conference on Tuesday and assured that the purpose of the agreement is "to give workers more freedom" and they can have free time.

De Croo highlighted that this initiative seeks to clear the labor market by 80% by 2030, at the same time that he reflected on what he had learned during the pandemic, where teleworking became an important ally for both employers and workers.

Increase in daily hours

In order for this agreement to be carried out, employees must add more hours to their day, in this way they will be able to enjoy one day off a week. That is, each worker must comply with 10 hours per week, in order to add 50.

More changes

Belgium also provides that the pact favors companies whose workers have evening hours (from 10 pm to midnight), with Uber or Deliveroo applications, in order to protect the integrity of employees.

Likewise, it includes the possibility of a worker who has a notice of completion of the contract, starting to work in another company.

Another plus would be the authorization of "disconnection" outside working hours, which frees them from the "pressure to respond to messages or emails".

According to the Belgian authorities, this initiative seeks to favor the personal life of the workers, so that they can have leisure and quality time with their family. Also taking into account that they may have the option of "playing" with their schedules to have more free time one week and work a little more others, which would be left to the discretion of each person.

Reactions

After the announcement, the Spanish deputy of the party for Más País, Íñigo Errejón, questioned that in Belgium the hours per day are increased to obtain one day off a week.

Errejón, promotes in Spain a law where each employee completes 32 hours per week in 4 days, without the reduction of salary, for them their position before the Belgian proposal.