Spain Takes Historic Step: Draft Law to Reduce Workweek to 375 Hours Approved
In a landmark decision, Spain's Council of Ministers has approved a draft law aimed at reducing the workweek to 375 hours. This significant change follows negotiations between the Ministry of Labor and various unions, although it has faced pushback from the employers' association. The announcement was made by the second vice president of the Government and Minister of Labor, Yolanda Díaz, who emphasized that this day marks a pivotal moment in the modernization of the country.
The Ministry of Labor's intent is to have this new rule published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) before the summer. This schedule will allow companies a few months to adapt to the new regulations. The goal is for collective agreements to be revised and updated before the deadline of December 31, 2025.
One of the key provisions of the draft law is the implementation of strict penalties for noncompliance. Companies that fail to adhere to the reduced work hours or the accompanying time registration requirements could face fines of up to 10,000 euros per worker. This marks a significant increase from the previous penalties, as firms will now be penalized for each individual worker affected, rather than facing a collective fine. Additionally, the maximum fines for employers classified as committing a serious infraction will rise from 7,500 euros to 10,000 euros.
The draft law establishes a structured system for fines based on the severity of the infractions, specifically targeting violations related to work hours, night shifts, overtime, breaks, vacation time, and overall time registration. Penalties are categorized into three tiers: minimum fines of 1,000 to 2,000 euros for minor violations, medium fines ranging from 2,001 to 5,000 euros for more serious breaches, and maximum fines of 5,001 to 10,000 euros for the gravest offenses.
However, this draft law, which includes these ambitious measures, still requires approval from the Congress of Deputies. The political landscape could complicate the passage of the law, as the Junts party, whose support is deemed crucial for it to succeed, has voiced concerns over the government's lack of consensus on the rule. Given this situation, it remains to be seen if the law will progress through the necessary legislative channels.
Overall, if enacted, this new law could pave the way for a transformed work culture in Spain, balancing employee welfare with the operational realities faced by companies in a post-pandemic world.
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