Chile Begins Workweek Reduction

Chile’s gradual reduction of the standard workweek to 40 hours from 45 began April 26, one year after the law making the change was published.

Law No. 25,261 (Spanish), often known as the “40 hours law” by the government, reduced the workweek to 44 hours on April 26. Two subsequent decreases will take effect after two more years each: to 42 hours on April 26, 2026, and to 40 hours on April 26, 2028.

Employers are welcome to implement the reductions before the required dates, Chile’s government said in a list of questions and answers (Spanish) about the law. It ...