The Economist’s Idea: Longer Weekends During the Summer

The economist says a shorter work week is a good idea, but on one condition: Such a decision should apply only in the summer. Ž. Maurice wrote on his Facebook account that such a solution would help the sectors most affected by the coronavirus.

“Ladies and gentlemen, how about the idea of ​​hosting a four-day week ‘temporarily’ this summer? Longer weekends would boost the leisure and tourism service sectors most affected by the coronavirus, while higher rest days would strengthen people’s immunity and allow more time for a more active social life (i.e. recovery after quarantine). Furthermore, such a solution would reduce regional exclusion in Lithuania, as most residents of metropolitan areas (and at the same time their money) travel to other regions of Lithuania on weekends. Such a solution would do little harm, because, for example, the industrial sector will not yet be operating at full capacity this summer ”, Ž. Mauricas

He argues that such a change would be logical, as the number of working hours in the world was last reduced more than 100 years ago.

“Of course, such an initiative should be coordinated at the international level (at least in the European Union). I think there would be many supporters of this idea, especially since the Scandinavian countries, the Netherlands and France have significantly less work in one way or another in summer (and the total number of hours worked per week in these countries is well below 40), and these arguments apply across the EU. (I wrote about the impact of tourism on reducing exclusion at EU level in a publication on April 23) Finally, the last time the number of working hours in the world was reduced was in 1919 (that is, 101 years ago), when the Convention of the International Labor Organization on establishing an eight-hour workday and a 48-hour workweek in industry. In 100 years, the global economy has changed beyond recognition, and we’ve been working until a hundred years ago … Since nothing is more permanent than temporary things, we may be able to enjoy longer weekends every summer, “said the economist in his account.

However, Ž. Maurice says he doesn’t think a four-day week makes sense at other times of the year.

“At other times of the year (autumn, winter, spring), there is no target to introduce a four-week week, as the tourism and leisure service sectors in Lithuania (and across the EU) are seasonal. Also, people still spend most of their time at home (due to darkness and cold), the school year begins. and the negative impact on the economy may be too great to reduce the number of working hours throughout the year ”, the economist is convinced.