Chile Passes Bill to Reduce Workweek from 45 to 40 Hours

SANTIAGO – The National Congress of Chile approved a bill on the 11th of April 2023 to steadily reduce the workweek from 45 to 40 hours, allowing for distribution across a minimum of four days (formerly five) and a maximum of six days.

The pending workweek legislation marks a stp to steer the country away from its free-market principles and will gradually trim one hour per week from the work schedule each year until reaching the new standard, aligning Chile with most developed nations.

The phased decrease implies that one year following the law’s publication (2024), the weekly timetable will drop to 44 hours. By the third year (2026), it will further decrease to 42 hours, and by the fifth year (2028), it will reach the 40-hour mark.

Supported by an overwhelming 127 votes to 14, the bill arrives amidst a global trend, with countries such as Britain and Spain exploring further reductions in weekly work hours.

Attendance monitoring will now include an electronic registration system in addition to the existing attendance book and clock control. A Labor Bureau resolution will outline the general conditions and prerequisites.

Upon a company’s request, the Labor Bureau will assess whether a personalized electronic system meets the specified criteria. This regulation will come into effect within one year of the law’s publication.

Many Chilean companies showed enthusiasm to adopt the bil, including the state-owned copper giant Codelco, that announced plans to transition to the 40-hour workweek by 2026, while certain smaller businesses have raised objections to the new regulation, citing limited resources that hinder their ability to hire additional staff and compensate for reduced working hours.