Once the deadline has passed and signatures will be validated, the petitioners and deputies will debate the popular petition. Romain Gamba - Maison Moderne Publishing SA

Once the deadline has passed and signatures will be validated, the petitioners and deputies will debate the popular petition. Romain Gamba - Maison Moderne Publishing SA

Within eleven days of being opened for signatures, a petition for shorter working hours has already gathered support from 5,267 signatories. 

The adds fuel to a debate on reducing the amount of working hours for employees in the grand duchy. Labour minister Georges Engel (LSAP) at the end of April had revealed he had on the matter.

Seven hours a day instead of eight, or a 35 hour-week, is what the petition demands. 

Arguing that the change would encourage productivity and general well-being among workers, the petitioner at the origin of the demand argues that neighbouring countries are already working less hours. Among Luxembourg’s neighbours, Germany also has a 40-hour week, while France has a 35-hour week. In Belgium 38 hours are common although up to 40 are also possible. The country is trialling condensing 38 hours into four days, but Engel  published in May said he does not consider this “social progress” as it makes people’s workdays even longer.

The petition has already surpassed the 4,500 signatures it needed to collect, 31 days ahead of the deadline. Following a verification of the validity of the signatures--supporters have to have a Luxembourg social security number and be over 18--the petition will be debated in the chamber of deputies. 

Among the opponents of shorter work days is Luxembourg’s federation of craftspeople. The federation cited high inflation, energy crisis and a shortage of workers in all sectors as a counter-argument for the demand, stating that it would be a heavy burden for small and medium businesses to bear.