Minister Cuerpo is confident in the approval of the reduction of working hours next week.

The Minister of Economy, Trade, and Business, Carlos Cuerpo, has expressed his confidence that the proposal to reduce the workweek will be approved next week by the Council of Ministers. This advancement represents a significant step in the labor and economic landscape of the country, a matter that has been at the center of debate in recent weeks. Cuerpo emphasized the importance of providing necessary support to businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to ensure that the project is successfully implemented. On the same day, the Delegated Commission for Economic Affairs will meet to discuss the reduction of the workweek, marking a crucial milestone in the processing of the project. Cuerpo anticipated that following this process, the document will be taken to the Commission of Undersecretaries and, subsequently, presented to the Council of Ministers, where it is expected to be discussed next week. This sequence of steps is vital to ensure that all concerns are addressed and a consensus is reached before final approval. The minister also underscored that the project's approach is balanced, aiming to promote social rights for workers without harming the viability of SMEs. Despite previous tensions with the Vice President and Minister of Labor, Yolanda Díaz, Cuerpo reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that the measure must be a guarantee for both employees and the economic stability of businesses. However, he did not specify whether it would be processed as an urgent matter, a decision that will depend on the support it garners in Congress. The balance between labor rights and business competitiveness is a critical point in the discussion. Cuerpo has insisted that for the reduction of working hours to be effective, it must ensure that companies become more productive and competitive. This, in his view, will allow both workers and employers to benefit from the measure, thus establishing a model that achieves a win-win in the labor market. For her part, Yolanda Díaz has been more cautious regarding the approval timelines, indicating that political negotiation is an open process in which all parties must have a voice. Díaz reminded that the PSOE has also expressed certain reservations about the measure, suggesting that internal debates are part of a broader process that seeks to consider the various positions on the matter. The Minister of Labor has emphasized that the discussion should not be rushed, as timelines can be misleading, especially if an urgent procedure is chosen. For Díaz, each political party involved must express its stance on the reduction of the workweek, which could significantly influence the final outcome. Additionally, a document registered by the CEOE has been made public, arguing the unconstitutionality of the reduction of working hours, a claim that Díaz labeled as "legal nonsense." The employers' association had previously attempted to appeal to the Constitutional Court regarding similarly adopted measures in the 1980s, but the court dismissed their argument. This type of opposition presents an additional obstacle that the government will need to overcome on its path to implementing the new regulation. The current situation reflects a complex landscape where the expectations of workers and the needs of businesses are in delicate balance. The implications of a possible reduction in working hours are profound and could set an important precedent in Spanish labor legislation. As the presentation to the Council of Ministers approaches, all involved parties are watching closely to see how events will unfold. Next week, key decisions are expected that will affect not only workers but also the economy as a whole. Therefore, the reduction of working hours is emerging as one of the most anticipated measures in the Spanish legislative arena, laden with implications that could define the future of labor relations in the country. Attention will now focus on how the debate will progress in the Council of Ministers and what conclusions will be reached in a matter that undoubtedly impacts the lives of millions of citizens.