37.5-hour Bill to Spanish parliament

The Spanish government has formally presented legislation to parliament that will cut the maximum length of the normal working week from 40 to 37.5 hours, with no loss of pay.

As well as reducing working time, the measure will include provisions on recording hours worked and the right to disconnect.

Labour minister Yolanda Díaz estimates that the hours cut — the first since 1983 — will benefit around 12.5 million of Spain’s 21.6 million employees. She hopes that the legislation will be in force by the end of this year.