Spain's public workers get 35-hour week amid ongoing debate

Spain's public sector workers to get 35-hour week

After years of deliberation, the Spanish government has finally agreed to implement a 35-hour workweek for public employees in the Administration General of the State (AGE). This decision, set to take effect in March 2026, follows a meeting on February 17 and is pending approval at the General Negotiation Table of the AGE, expected to be convened in the coming days.

Key details:

• 250,000 central office workers and administrative staff will benefit from the reduced 35-hour week.
• This represents a 2.5-hour weekly reduction from the current 37.5-hour workweek, with no salary deductions.
• However, certain operational staff groups, such as military personnel, police, and correctional officers, are exempt due to their unique circumstances and service continuity requirements.
• Teachers, healthcare workers, and institutional staff in the AGE are also excluded.

Challenges and concerns:

While the 35-hour workweek is a step forward for many public workers, unions are pushing for the measure to apply to all AGE personnel without exceptions. The Confederación Sindical de Funcionarios (CSIF) has called for the government to make the text definitive and inclusive of all staff, not just central offices.

Jubilación parcial exams scheduled:

Función Pública has announced that exams for partial retirement will take place between April and May, with 1,049 positions available to cover the backlog of applications. However, the new system has been criticized for creating administrative complexities and leaving some workers in limbo.

Background and insights:

The 35-hour workweek for public employees aims to improve work-life balance and quality of life. However, the process has been slow, with previous attempts in 2010 met with resistance. The ongoing negotiations and regulatory hurdles highlight the complexities involved in implementing such measures.