Spain's Acting Government Proposes 37½-Hour Workweek Amid Efforts to Stay in Power

Coalition partners have until November 27 to gain majority parliamentary backing for their government formation, and the proposed change in the workweek to 37½ hours by 2025 is part of their broader political agreement including around 230 diverse policies.

The acting government of Spain proposed a reduction in the workweek to 37.5 hours by 2025, from the existing 40-hour week, with an intermediate step to 38.5 hours in 2024.
The leftist coalition, composed of the Socialist Party and Sumar, need to gain majority parliamentary support to form a new government by November 27 or face a national election in January.
This proposal is part of a broader political agreement that includes around 230 various policy measures, ranging from fighting climate change and controlling artificial intelligence to education and housing.
To secure the required 176 votes to form a government, the coalition will need the support of several smaller parties, including separatist parties from Catalonia and the Basque region.
The document detailing these policies was signed by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, the Socialist leader, and Sumar leader Yolanda Díaz, marking the first and easier step in their attempt to remain in power.