More than 1,000 Chilean companies reduce working week to 40 hours

More than 1,000 Chilean companies have adhered to a campaign promoted by the government to reduce the working day from 45 to 40 hours per week, informed the Ministry of Labor.

“More than 1,000 companies have already applied for the 40-hour Seal, which is given to companies that have gone ahead of the law and have already implemented the reduction of working hours for their workers,” the Ministry informed in a press release.

Although the law presented by leftist parliamentarians is still under discussion in Congress, the Chilean government initiated a campaign in which a special seal is given to those public or private companies that voluntarily join the measure.

The Ministry pointed out that to obtain the seal, companies must meet specific requirements, such as having hired at least 80% of their workers with ordinary working hours not exceeding 40 hours and not less than 30 hours per week.

Also, the company must have no lawsuits or records for violation of fundamental rights and be up to date in paying social security obligations to its employees.

Some of the companies that have joined are Sodexo (food service), Itaú (bank), Caja Los Andes (private social security provider), Wom (telephony), Enami (mining), and Coopeuch (financial institution), among others.

The 40-Hours law was one of President Gabriel Boric’s campaign promises. The measure proposes a gradual reduction in the maximum hours an employee can work per week in a company; once approved and enacted, companies will have five years to implement the norm.

With information from Sputnik