Vänsterpartiet Proposes Abolishing the 40-Hour Work Week to Reduce Working Hours in Sweden

Vänsterpartiet, led by Nooshi Dadgostar and Ciczie Weidby, has announced a plan to abolish the current 40-hour work week in Sweden, advocating for a nationwide reduction in working hours. This proposal is positioned as a key issue for upcoming government negotiations after the election, with the party emphasizing the need for Swedes to have more time for family, friends, and personal recovery.

The party is calling for a state investigation into how to implement shorter work weeks covering all professions and industries, not limited to those under collective agreements. Dadgostar highlighted the growing isolation of Sweden in Europe due to its relatively long working hours and underscored the need to modernize labor laws to align with other Nordic countries like Denmark and Norway, which have already reduced their workweeks to 37 and 37.5 hours respectively.

The proposal further includes allowing unions and employers to negotiate changes during the investigation phase, ensuring a collaborative approach to reform. Although Dadgostar clarified that Vänsterpartiet would not approach negotiations with rigid demands, the reduction of working hours remains a priority for the party.

This move aims to enhance quality of life and promote work-life balance while bringing Swedish labor practices closer in line with neighboring countries.