The UK recently concluded a six-month trial of the four-day working week, involving nearly 3,000 workers and dozens of employers across a range of industries. More than 90 percent, or 56, of the 61 companies that participated said they intended to continue implementing the shorter work week after the trial, and 18 said the shift would be permanent. According to the Washington Post.
Matias MäkynenThe vice-chairman of the Social Democrats said in February that Finland should do a similar experiment, in which weekly working hours are cut by 20 percent without affecting wages. wrote Helsingin sanomat newspaper. He stated that it is necessary to find new ways to organize working life, especially in order to reduce work burnout among young adults.
Also Lee AnderssonThe chairman of the Left Confederation and the Central Union of Finnish Trade Unions SAK have expressed their support for the trial of shortened working hours.
Mikael PentikäinenThe CEO of Suomen Yrittäjie tweeted in February that the shorter working hours should obviously be reflected in the salary.
“Reducing working hours without reducing wages would leave many employers in serious trouble,” he reasoned, admitting that shorter working hours could suit some jobs. “With Finland drifting towards economic collapse, a general four-day work week is not realistic.”
The Ministry of Economy and Labor is expected to publish its report on the trial possibilities by the end of the month, just before the April 2 parliamentary elections.
Aleksi Teivainen – HT
Source: The Nordic Page