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Spain Moves Closer To Shorter Working Week, But Challenges Lie Ahead

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.

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.

Forbes Middle East Unveils 100 Most Powerful Businesswomen Of 2025

Forbes Middle East has unveiled its much-anticipated 2025 ranking of the region’s top businesswomen, spotlighting influential leaders reshaping industries and driving meaningful transformation. The list was based on business size, individual accomplishments, leadership impact, and corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Top Spot For Hana Al Rostamani

For the third consecutive year, Hana Al Rostamani, Group CEO of First Abu Dhabi Bank (UAE’s largest bank by assets), claims the top position. In addition to retaining her position in the Forbes Middle East ranking, she was also featured on Forbes’ 2024 list of the World’s Most Powerful Women, securing the 60th position globally. Under her leadership, the bank achieved an impressive $3.5 billion in net profits and $334.8 billion in assets in the first nine months of 2024.

Rising Stars In The Top 10

Shaikha Khaled Al Bahar of NBK Group and Shaista Asif, cofounder and Group CEO of PureHealth Holding, take the second and third spots respectively, completing the top three.

The top 10 remains largely unchanged from last year, with Tayba Al Hashemi of ADNOC Offshore, Alisha Moopen of Aster DM Healthcare GCC, and Suzanne Al Anani of Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (DAEP) making their debut in the top 10. In total, 27 new leaders have joined the list this year.

A Diverse And Powerful Group Of Women

This year’s list features 100 women from 32 sectors and 29 nationalities, underlining the diversity of talent driving the region’s progress. The banking and financial services sector leads with 25 entries, followed by healthcare and technology with nine each, and venture capital with five. Remarkably, 40% of the top 10 women are from the banking and financial services sector. Notably, Shaista Asif (PureHealth Holding) and Alisha Moopen (Aster DM Healthcare GCC) are the only non-Arab women in the top 10.

UAE Leads With 46 Leaders

The UAE continues to dominate, with 46 of the women on the list hailing from the country, solidifying its status as a global business hub. Egypt follows with 18 influential women, and Saudi Arabia claims nine entries. Egyptians lead in representation, followed by Emiratis and Lebanese women.

Empowering Women Through Initiatives

Several of the leaders have focused on upskilling and creating opportunities for women. Susana Rodriguez Puerta launched the ‘sAIdaty’ initiative in collaboration with the Dubai Business Women Council, aimed at providing 500 female council members in the UAE with AI skills. Similarly, Lamia Tazi of SOTHEMA collaborated with the Foundation for Research, Development, and Innovation in Science and Engineering to provide scholarships to PhD students from low-income backgrounds.

Click here for the full list.

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