The Chilean government began processing a bill this week to allow the 40-hour workweek to be averaged over longer cycles, following its July announcement to Congress.
The bill, introduced to Congress on Tuesday, allows the 40-hour average to be calculated over cycles of up to 16 weeks for the general regime and 52 weeks for the tourism sector.
Labor Minister Tomás Rau defended the measure, stating that the 40 hours are not changed, only how they are averaged, to help companies adapt amid a labor crisis with unemployment at 9.4%.
Experts such as Marcelo Albornoz and Soledad Hormazábal noted that the approach follows patterns in OECD countries, where 20 nations use similar mechanisms with reference periods close to 15 weeks.
The opposition, represented by former ministers such as Camila Vallejos, warned that the changes could lead to loss of rights, although the bill maintains a maximum limit of 45 ordinary hours per week.
