CEOE President Antonio Garamendi Criticized for Comments on Workweek Reduction

Antonio Garamendi, the president of the Confederation of Employers and Industries of Spain (CEOE), has come under fire following his recent remarks regarding the proposed reduction of the workweek by the Ministry of Labor. The proposal was ultimately rejected by Congress after votes from the People's Party (PP), Vox, and Junts. During his speech at the Forbes Spain Economic Summit, Garamendi criticized the ongoing dialogue facilitated by the Ministry of Labor, claiming it is diminishing daily and referring to it as a 'social monologue.' He emphasized the importance of a strong work ethic, drawing an analogy with the success of Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz. 'Do you think Carlitos works 37.5 hours a week? No. It's the culture of effort, of suffering, of knowing what you lose and what you gain,' he stated. In a follow-up conversation with journalist Isma Juárez from El Intermedio, Garamendi further defended his position by suggesting that productivity and competitiveness are more important metrics than the number of hours worked each week. This assertion has ignited heated discussions, particularly in the context of the ongoing debates regarding the working hours and conditions in Spain. The topic of workweek reduction has gained significant attention in recent months, leading many to reevaluate their perspectives on work-life balance and productivity. In light of this controversy, El HuffPost has opened a survey to gather public opinion on whether a 37.5-hour workweek is sufficient. Readers are encouraged to participate and share their views. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2