Chile debates extension of work week to 52 hours

The government’s Mesa de Reactivación Laboral has presented a proposal that would allow weekly work schedules of up to 52 hours, extending the current 40‑hour standard. The measure is part of a 22‑point package aimed at tackling a 9.4% unemployment rate, the highest in nearly five years.

Former labour ministers Camila Vallejo and Jeannette Jara warned that the plan would reverse recent gains, with Vallejo asking “¿Te imaginas trabajar 52 horas en una semana?” and Jara saying “las 40 horas están en peligro.” The proposal would broaden the calculation period for average weekly hours from four weeks to as many as 15, 30 or even 52 weeks, similar to practices in Germany and the Netherlands.

Labour Minister Tomás Rau clarified that the 40‑hour limit itself will not be changed, stating “Las 40 horas no se cambian. Lo que cambia es cómo tú promedias o calculas las 40 horas.” He noted that the ability to work up to 52 hours in a particular week already exists under the labour code for exceptional cases, and the reform seeks only to make the calculation cycle more flexible for sectors such as tourism, hospitality and commerce.