The Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy carries out work on shortening the working week. The first phase of investigation on this solution has been completed. According to the first proposals, changes could have affirmative effects, but their implementation should be gradual and adapted to the circumstantial characteristics of individual industries.
According to the latest Eurostat data, Poland can boast the lowest unemployment rate in the European Union. In February, it was only 2.6 percent, which gives our country a stand-alone leadership position. The Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk stresses that the current economical situation is conducive to reforms in the labour market.
— It is simply a perfect time to focus on improving the quality of jobs, both from the position of workers and employers," the minister noted.
First conclusions of the survey on shortening the working week
The issue of limiting the number of working days was 1 of the key topics in the electoral campaign. The Ministry completed the first phase of analysis, based on the experiences of private companies and public institutions investigating a model of abbreviated work week.
— The proposals will be presented in item within the next month. However, we can already say that shortening working time is an expected, desired and needed change," said Dziemianowicz-Bąk. She stressed that this process requires appropriate preparation and adaptation to different sectors of the economy.
Different models for different industries
There is no 1 universal model for shortening working time. Depending on the specifics of the industry, another solutions can work.
— In production plants, needs will be different from those in office or creative work. It is crucial to make the right conditions to make changes gradually and effectively," said the Minister.
As an example, she gave France, where there has been a gradual simplification in working hours for 7 years.
What do Poles think?
The public is divided on this issue. According to the SW investigation poll for "Wprost", 33.2 percent of Poles advocate a four-day week of work, and 25% like to shorten the week to 35 hours. However, the largest group (34.5%) considers that the current model of work is the best. The remaining 1.6% of respondents indicated another solutions.
What's next?
The Ministry announced that the next step would be to test fresh solutions on a wider scale. In the coming months, detailed legislative proposals and plans will be made for implementing changes in selected sectors.
