Sweden debates working hour reduction as Social Democratic Party proposes 35-hour week

The discussion about reducing working hours has resurfaced in Sweden. A working group within the Social Democratic Party proposes a reduction of the standard workweek from 40 to 35 hours. Annika Strandhäll, a member of the party, emphasizes that trials conducted show a shorter workweek leads to positive health outcomes. She points out the serious issues of stress and sick leaves in the Swedish labor market, with over 800 deaths annually linked to work-related illnesses, predominantly in the healthcare sector.

Johan Pehrson contends that there are alternative methods to achieve a sustainable labor market. He argues that hiring more employees is a more logical approach than reducing hours, claiming that less work typically results in less productivity. Strandhäll counters that Sweden is lagging behind the rest of Europe in terms of workweek length, mentioning that neighboring countries like Norway and Denmark have reduced workweeks of 37 hours, while Iceland is moving toward a 32-hour week.

Pehrson acknowledges that while some may tolerate reduced hours, such agreements should be negotiated between employers and unions. He raises concerns over potential impacts on the quality of public services if working hours are reduced. In response, Strandhäll notes that historical trends following past reductions in work hours, such as in 1973, resulted in increased productivity and growth. She argues that advancements in technology and AI may provide new opportunities for managing workloads. Pehrson questions the feasibility of further reducing hours, indicating that this could create additional challenges in the labor market.