The Minister of Labor and Social Security, Jeannette Jaraon board concerns raised around the implementation of the reduction of working hours within the framework of the 40 hour laws that comes into effect next Friday, April 26, the date on which the hours must be 44 hours per week.
From the Unitary Central of Workers (CUT) They warned that some companies were considering reducing the 60 minutes required by the standard by 2024, redistributing them to 12 minutes a day less at departure time or add them to snack time.
In this way, doubts reached the Work address through formal consultations and social networks, regarding What is the right way to reduce weekly hours worked. Neither of the two mechanisms described is in line with the spirit of the law, the Ministry of Labor authorities detailed this Thursday.
“What is sought with this law is to allow having a better quality of life, having more time and therefore it is not worth making different types of figures”Jara explained. The minister added that those who are considering “reducing this in minutes will have to seek a solution in accordance with the law and what the opinion establishes”.
For his part, the director of Labor, Pablo Zenteno, provided details on the practical application of this new regulation. In an opinion he clarified “a situation that was doubtful as to how the reduction of the working day had to be adapted on a daily basis, in that sense, we have established that the law is very clear in gradualness and the rule of proportionality that must be mandatory for the employer when there is no agreement between the parties.”
Besides, specified that the reduction of one hour must be applied on a specific day of the week, if the working day is Monday to Friday. It is not possible for the departure time to be reduced by 12 minutes in those five days, that does not go with the spirit of the law, the authority specified.
In addition, Zenteno commented on the supervisory measures that will be adopted: “From April 26, all inspections will consider this matter to verify that the reduction is being met, but that does not mean that we are going to fine all companies, but rather that We are going to allow the micro, small and medium-sized companies to correct if they have not already done so.”.
For large companies, he pointed out that there is no excuse for not adjusting correctlysince the process will be “a mechanism that is activated ex officio,” he concluded.
It should be noted that starting next Friday, April 26, the working day in Chile will initially be reduced from 45 to 44 hours per week, marking the beginning of the gradual implementation of the new law that aims to reach 40 hours per week within five years.
In 2026, weekly hours will decrease to 42, and By 2028, the working day will be set at 40 hours per week. The law also allows companies to advance this reduction without having to wait for the established deadlines.
