According to a survey released this morning, seven out of ten companies are against the implementation of a four-day week, especially in commerce, industry, and construction, and 71% of those who agree argue that the measure should be optional.
Prepared by the Portuguese Industrial Association – Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AIP-CCI) and referring to the fourth quarter of 2024, the “Business Context Survey on the Labour Market” also indicates that 70% of companies argue that labour matters such as careers, benefits, complementary remuneration or overtime limits should be agreed within companies and not in the context of a Collective Labour Agreement (CCT).
Regarding working hours, 71% of the companies surveyed give a favourable opinion and, of these, 74% believe that it should be fixed by agreement within the company, instead of in collective bargaining agreements.
According to AIP, among the companies that defend internal consultation are small and medium-sized companies.
In terms of work model, 81% of the 523 participating companies say they practice face-to-face work, 17% a hybrid model, and 2% telework. Among those that have adopted a hybrid or remote model, 73% say that this has contributed to an improvement in productivity and 84% consider maintaining this model.
When asked about the National Minimum Wage (NMW), 83% of companies agree with its existence, although 65% understand that it should not be seen as an instrument of wealth redistribution.
Among those who consider that the NMS should be an instrument for this purpose, 45% say that society should bear it, through negative taxes on the lowest incomes, while the remaining 55% argue that it should be borne by the operating costs of companies.
Regarding the amount of 1,020 euros per month projected for the SMN until the end of the current legislature, more than half (56%) of the companies surveyed point out that it is bearable by the companies’ operating account, although 95% are unaware of any study that points to their sector of activity as having the capacity to finance it.
65% of companies, believe that the calculations for the minimum wage should be dependent on the evolution of productivity.
When asked about self-declaration of illness, 55% of companies were against it, although 89% pointed out that they have never registered a case, or if so, infrequent.
Concerning the so-called “right to disconnect,” (the right to disconnect allows employees to refuse to monitor, read, or respond to work-related contact outside their working hours), created an almost 50/50 split. Most of those who disagree are small and micro-companies.
523 commercial companies across the country (24% from the North, 32% from the Centre, 26% from the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, 12% from the Alentejo, 3% from the Algarve and 3% from the islands) took part in the AIP-CCI survey. The survey was carried out between the 12th of October and the 11th of November 2024
Industry represented 47% of the sample group, followed by services (26%), commerce (14%), construction (7%), agriculture (3%), accommodation and food services (2%) and transport and storage (1%), with 3% being large companies, 8% medium-sized, 45% small and 44% micro-companies.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
