Spain is on the brink of reducing its working week, following a historic agreement between the government and the country’s two largest unions. This deal aims to cut the maximum work hours per week from 40 to 37.5, without altering wages. While the government has given its support, the proposal still faces challenges in the fragmented parliament, with opposition from employers.

Labor Minister Yolanda Díaz, alongside leaders of the UGT and CCOO unions, has hailed the agreement as a major step forward. The change is set to impact around 12 million workers and is expected to contribute to a reduction in carbon emissions. Under the new arrangement, the weekly hours will be calculated based on an annual average, with any extra hours worked considered overtime.

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Additionally, the government plans to strengthen timekeeping enforcement, introducing fines of up to €10,000 per worker for companies that fail to comply. However, there are indications that full implementation might be delayed until 2026 to accommodate small businesses and secure broader parliamentary support.

The proposal still faces uncertainty in the lower house of parliament. The minority government relies on smaller parties, including the Catalan separatist party Hunt, which may be difficult to convince due to its pro-business stance.

In a statement, Díaz, who is also Spain’s Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the left-wing Sumar party, emphasized the significance of the measure: “Today we are repaying our debt to the working people of Spain, to the new generations who understand that personal time is not a luxury, but a fundamental right.”

However, the reduction in working hours has been met with resistance from Spain’s main employers’ association, CEOE. They argue that such a change should be negotiated on an individual company basis rather than mandated by law, allowing businesses to adapt based on their specific needs.