Spanish government and unions agree to reduce working week to 37.5 hours

Spain's minority government and the two largest trade unions agreed on Friday to implement a shorter work week with the same pay, although the change still needs to be approved by a fragmented parliament while it faces opposition from employers.

Labour Minister Yolanda Diaz and the leaders of unions UGT and CCOO stressed the "historic" nature of the measure reducing the maximum number of work hours per week to 37.5 from the current 40, with unchanged salaries, before the end of 2025.

The planned change would affect some 12 million workers, especially those with precarious jobs, as well as reduce carbon emissions, she said. The new weekly limit will be calculated on an annual average, with any additional hours worked considered overtime. The enforcement of working time recording obligations will be toughened and fines raised to 10,000 euros per worker for non-compliant companies.