Chile Lawmakers Vote To Reduce Work Week From 45 To 40 Hours

SANTIAGO, Chile — Chile’s Congress overwhelmingly adopted a bill on Tuesday to decrease the work week from 45 to 40 hours over five years, a decision hailed as a victory for workers’ rights by the left-wing government.

The Senate approved the bill three weeks ago and cleared the lower house 127-14. President Gabriel Boric, who took office in March 2022 after campaigning on the legislation, was scheduled to sign it into law by May 1.

“Yes, changes can be made to advance workers’ rights,” Labor Minister Jeannette Jara said following the vote, which took place six years after the measure was first proposed.

Chile has decreased its work week for the second time. It was first reduced from 48 to 45 hours in 2005 in Chile.

Chile will join Ecuador in having a 40-hour work week.

Ana Camayo, a 54-year-old department store manicurist, stated, “The law is fantastic for women over 30 who have children,” referring to herself and her coworkers. She stated that she intends to spend extra free time with her family.

The shorter work week was proposed by communist lawmakers in 2017, but it stalled for years. Chile Around 200 roundtable talks with workers and employers from major, medium, and small businesses and the government provided the new impetus.

The rule is meant to make Chile “more rested and happy,” according to opposition legislator Emilia Schneider.

Once signed by Boric, the law will be implemented in three stages: the work week will be lowered to 44 hours in the first year, 42 hours in the third year, and 40 hours in the fifth year. Employers will be able to reduce work hours ahead of plan.

Chile will join Ecuador in having a 40-hour work week.

SOURCE – (AP)