Sweden launches workday 6 hours without lowering wages

The Swedish authorities believe that a shorter working day, workers "will feel better physically and mentally." This time reduction aims to increase work efficiency, saving state funds and open new job opportunities. While this is a test, project managers have full confidence in the results. The test starts with municipal workers in Gothenburg, who will be the first to participate in a work experience which will put "test" the system of six daily hours, five days a week, an initiative of leftist political forces



"The time has come to test whether this really going to work in Sweden. We will do the experiment and compare, then take a legislative firm decision extended to all workers," said Mats Pilhem, vice mayor of Gothenburg, the Swedish newspaper The Local.


Experience
Municipal workers will be divided into two groups for comparisons of the case: the first will maintain its current pace of seven hours aday, while the second will fulfill tasks for six hours. Both maintain the same wages as at present. Authorities believe a business day a short time, workers "will feel better physically and mentally" and will also be short less and better working presenteeism. Same if experience gives positive results, is expected to create new jobs.


The experience was done in Gothenburg, at the level of a car factory and the results were encouraging as entrepreneurs.


The initiative has received strong criticism from the political opposition to the left, which accuses Pilhem to make the experience just as the elections approach. The defense of the mayor argues that the issue had been thought and planned previously.