Reducing working time in Europe

Speakers:
Stan De Spiegelaere and Agnieszka Piasna, ETUI Senior researchers
Sophie Jaenicke, IG Metall

Comments:  Richard Pond, EPSU

Moderator: Philippe Pochet, General Director ETUI

Briefing:

Europeans are working less and less. Since 2007, the average working time decreased by almost an hour. So, can the proponents of a working time reduction sit back, relax, and enjoy the show? Not quite sure. The decrease is the result of a very specific type of working time reduction: an increase in part-time work. And this might not be such a positive development.

That’s why unions all over Europe are reasserting their age-old demand for collective working time reductions. But why (or why not) working time reduction should be defended and with what arguments, as well as how could it be organized?

During this ETUI Lunch debate, the ETUI’s publication “The why and how of working time reduction” will be presented, along with a presentation of the recent IG Metall proposal for a temporary reduction of working time to 28-hours a week in the metal sector in Germany. A representative of the European Public Service Union (EPSU) will provide comments.

Venue: ITUH,  Bd du Roi Albert II, 5; 1210 Brussels, ETUI meeting room 7th floor
A light lunch will be served from 12h in the meeting room.