It’s official: Gabriel Boric passes a law that cuts the workweek to 40 hours in Chile.

Chilean President Gabriel Boric on Friday unveiled a law that cuts the workweek in Chile from 45 hours to 40 hours. This initiative will be implemented gradually over five years.

“We are taking an extremely important step towards greater well-being and a better quality of life for those who drive Chile: workers and laborers, as well as their families,” Boric said before putting his signature on the text approved by the overwhelming majority in parliament. Congress.

The law’s promulgation ceremony took place in the Parque de la Familia, a green and open space, a sign that the measure can help families grow.

“This is a pro-family project. I was wondering how many more stories would be told at night in Chile boys and girls (…) because fathers, mothers, guardians or caregivers will be able to be with their children at these key moments?” the ruler said.

The promulgation of the 40 Hours Act, which has been under consideration in Congress for six years, represents a political respite for the left-wing Boric government, which has been hit by a national security crisis that has forced it to push for a law that strengthens and toughens police action.

The authorship of the bill on 40 hours belongs to the deputies communist partyamong them Camila Vallejothe current government representative minister, although she came forward thanks to an agreement between the ruling party and the opposition.

The initiative will be rolled out gradually

The new law will be introduced gradually. In the period of one year, the working day will be 44 hours, it will decrease to 42 in the third year of application and to 40 hours after five years.

According to the rules, employers will not be able to cut wages for employees, and both parties will be able to agree on a four-day work week and three days off.

In addition, it establishes special working hours for workers in private homes, land transport, permanent agricultural workers, independent platforms, seafarers, and flight and cabin crew.

However, these benefits may not reach workers in the informal sector, which in Chile is 27.3%.

When the five years of application of the law are completed, Chile will be there Ecuador And Venezuela third country Latin America with a load of 40 hours a week.

In Brazil, El Salvador and Guatemala, the working week is 42 to 45 hours per week. Instead, in countries like Argentina, Bolivian, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, ParaguayanPeru and Uruguay work 48 hours a week, according to data International Labor Organization (ILO).

(AFP)