Implementing a four-day workweek requires comprehensive measures and social consensus, as it would significantly impact employers and employees, the national economy and students’ right to education, the Ministry of Labor said.
The ministry was responding to a written inquiry on the matter by Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Lee Kun-tse (李昆澤).
Only 41 percent of employees in Taiwan feel they are thriving, compared with 60 to 70 percent in other countries including Poland, Denmark and Iceland, according to this year’s “State of the Workplace” report published by the US analytics company Gallup in June, Lee said.
Photo: Lee Ching-hui, Taipei Times
Taiwan’s workplace happiness index is the lowest in five years at 57 points, with employees on average working 10 hours a day and 64 percent feeling overworked, according to surveys conducted by domestic job banks in April, he said.
In 2022, countries such as the UK, Sweden, Japan, the US, New Zealand, Iceland and Belgium started implementing four-day workweeks and reducing working hours without pay cuts, Lee said.
These trials showed improvements in labor efficiency and the mental and physical health of employees, with a 65-percent decrease in sick leave and slight growth or no decline in corporate revenue, he said.
Japan has included a four-day work week in its official recommendations and 90 percent of UK companies participating in the trials plan to continue the policy, he added.
Taiwan should follow other countries by beginning research and planning to reduce working hours, and should propose a concrete timeline for workplace pilot programs, Lee said.
According to the Labor Standards Act (勞動基準法), Taiwan’s regular weekly working hours may not exceed 40 hours and employees have the right to two days off per week, like most other countries, the Ministry of Labor said.
The act allows for concentrated working hours to reduce the number of workdays, which is practiced in the manufacturing and service industries, the ministry said.
Shortening the workweek not only involves amending relevant regulations, but significantly impacts employers and employees, the national economy, transportation, healthcare, public safety, national defense and education, the ministry said.
As such, comprehensive planning and social consensus are needed before moving forward, it said.
Government agencies must ensure the quality of public services, which would be affected by a shortened workweek, according to an evaluation by the Directorate-General of Personnel Administration.
More comprehensive results on the effects of shortened workweek trials in other countries is necessary before making a decision, the agency said.
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