Chilean government sets new push on bill to reduce working hours

SANTIAGO (Reuters) – The federal government of Chilean President Gabriel Boric stated on Tuesday it has revived efforts to move a invoice that would cut back working hours within the nation and fulfill a marketing campaign promise.

The invoice, which goals to cut back the working week from 45 to 40 hours inside 5 years, has stalled in Congress because it was launched in 2017 by then-lawmaker and present authorities spokesperson Camila Vallejo.

Boric has given “urgency” to the invoice, a provision in Chile’s structure that forces lawmakers to contemplate a invoice when mandated by the president.

Lawmakers will debate a sequence of modifications to the invoice made by Boric’s authorities, together with a revision extending the discount in working hours to employees in particular classes, resembling public transport drivers and home employees.

“These enhancements are important to bringing us nearer to a brand new Chile, one that’s fairer,” Boric stated throughout a ceremony Tuesday on the presidential palace.

The middle-left authorities has promoted dialogue with unions and employee federations together with representatives from small, medium and enormous corporations at a time when the economic system of the world’s largest copper producer is slowing down and faces robust inflationary pressures after a speedy post-pandemic restoration.

Boric stated his authorities anticipated the invoice to be voted on and accredited as quickly as attainable by each legislative homes.

(Reporting by Natalia Ramos; modifying by Richard Pullin)