The Minister of Labor and Social Welfare, Jeannette Jara, expressed her support for the bill that seeks to reduce the working day to 40 hours. One of the reasons for her decision is that productivity is not related to a greater number of hours worked, but the quality of employment should be discussed from a comprehensive perspective.
“Unemployment, productivity and competitiveness do not depend exclusively on the extension of the working day. They depend on factors such as the use of technologies, development models, the productive chain, adaptability, the certification of skills and other determinants The challenge of employment and the quality of employment must be looked at from a comprehensive perspective,” he commented.
Another of his reasons for reducing the working day is that Chile is one of the countries with the most working hours in the OECD, which is not reflected in the productivity obtained.
“Chile is one of the countries with the most hours of work in the OECD and with the lowest level of productivity. We are interested in labor relations taking place in a country that grows and that equitably distributes the fruits of growth. It is a guarantee for social peace “, he added.
The minister stressed that this type of project is sought to give a negative concept and that it could bring serious adverse effects to the country, which do not always occur.
“Productivity and growth are also obviously relevant. We are going to advance in that and it will do society good, especially in mental health. You will also be able to have time to do other activities. And it will do good for the country’s productivity.” “, he concluded.
