Chile faces backlash over proposal to extend workweek to 52 hours

Chile's government has proposed changes to the 40-hour workweek law, a signature reform of President Gabriel Boric's administration, igniting a wave of opposition. The proposed legislation, announced by Labor Minister Tomás Rau, would allow for an extension of the weekly workday to a maximum of 52 hours, aiming to provide greater flexibility in the labor market.

This move comes as Chile faces a sustained deterioration in employment, with the unemployment rate reaching 9.1% between February and April 2026, its highest level in nearly five years, according to the National Statistics Institute (INE). The government argues the reform is necessary to adapt to current economic conditions.

However, the proposal has been met with strong criticism from prominent figures, including former Labor Minister Jeannette Jara and ex-government spokesperson Camila Vallejo. Both have publicly called for the defense of the reduced workweek, which was enacted in 2023 and gradually lowered the standard from 45 to 40 hours. They argue that extending the workweek to 52 hours would negatively impact workers' quality of life.

Labor unions, such as the Central Workers' Union (CUT), have also expressed concerns, warning of potential labor precarization. The government clarifies that it does not seek a fixed 52-hour week but rather a more flexible calculation method, particularly for seasonal sectors like agriculture and tourism. This approach, they suggest, could help reduce informality and align with models in some OECD countries, where weekly hours are averaged over longer periods.

“

Who can have a good life working 52 hours in a week? That is, more than 10 hours a day.