Draft bill: Romanian employees to work fewer hours on Fridays

Romanian employees might benefit from a shorter work program if a legislative proposal launched by two Liberal MPs will pass. Employees hired full time would work eight hours a day between Monday and Thursday, and only six hours on Fridays. This means that they would work a total of 38 hours a week, down from the current 40 hours, and this would not lower their salaries, according to the draft bill, reports local Hotnews.ro. Depending on the company or the type of work performed, work time can be unequally distributed, but shouldn’t exceed the 38 hours a week. In the explanatory memorandum, the two initiators claim “the primary purpose of the draft bill is to support employees in their struggle with the everyday stress, by strengthening the weekly program of relaxation, but not at the expense of labor productivity.” This amendment to the Labor Code might provide an “extra protection for the employees’ mental and physical health,” while also inducing a state of well-being and optimism, which would lead to a better work quality and increased productivity, according to the MPs. They also referred countries such as Sweden and France, which reduced the number of working hours and thus managed to improve the quality of life and the employees’ productivity. The project is currently under public consultation in the Senate. Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com