The Donald Tusk government has confirmed its intention to make significant changes to the Labor Code, aimed at reducing working time for employees. According to Euractiv, these innovations can be one of the key reforms by the end of the term of office of the current government in 2027.
The main variants of changes are either the transition to a four -day work week or reducing the daily working day to seven hours. Poland's family, work and social policy minister Agnieszka Dzhyanovich-Back noted that the government is carefully studying which of these options will be the most optimal for the Polish labor market.
"It will be determined if it is the best option to reduce the average working week from 40 to 35 hours, or to introduce a four -day work week," the minister said.
According to Eurostat, the Poles currently work on an average of 40.5 hours a week, which is one of the highest rates in the European Union, second only to Greece. On average, this figure is 37.5 hours and the world average is 34.2 hours.
However, not all political forces and experts support such changes. Opponents of the idea say that reducing working time can adversely affect the country's economy, especially in a demographic crisis. According to their forecasts, by 2050, only two workers will be performed per pensioner, which will significantly complicate the maintenance of the current level of social payments and economic stability.
Despite his criticism, the government is determined. Work on amendments to the Labor Code is expected to be activated in the fall of this year, and the final acceptance of changes can take place in the spring of next year. Reducing working time can be a significant argument in favor of the ruling coalition in the future presidential elections in 2025, as this step has the potential to gain significant support among voters.
