According to a recent study by Bumeran, 73% of HR professionals believe it is possible to reduce the workweek in the country. Is this really feasible?
Peru’s Constitution establishes that the maximum workweek is eight hours per day or 48 hours per week, making it one of the countries with the longest workweek in Latin America. The International Labour Organization (ILO) previously recommended reducing the workweek to 40 hours, yet there are still countries with longer workweeks.
In this context, the latest edition of Bumeran’s study on reducing the workweek indicates that 73% of human resources specialists in Peru believe it is possible to reduce the workweek while maintaining the same salaries. This figure has decreased by 4% compared to 2022, when 77% of specialists believed it was feasible.
In this regard, Dora Pinedo, head of marketing at Bumeran Peru, explained that although this is not an issue currently considered applicable in the country, it is a regional trend that will eventually need to be discussed. While the study shows that most HR specialists believe it is possible to implement a reduction in working hours, 84% of specialists in the country do not plan to do so.
What do recruiters think? Ernesto Rubio, CEO of Ronald Carrer Services, believes it is possible to reduce working hours without cutting salaries. “Carlos Slim proposed the same formula five years ago, with the aim of securing future retirement pensions and making more room for entry-level centennials. I would agree,” he told Gestión.
Along those lines, the expert believes this measure would “significantly improve productivity” and reduce the brain drain. Additionally, it would allow for shift work, which implies greater efficiency and effectiveness in the work cycle. From the employee’s perspective, they could devote more time to other projects, both professional and personal.
For her part, Sandra Cubas, Managing Partner at Cornerstone Peru, noted that while it is possible to reduce the workweek, it is important to assess the impact on labor costs. According to the specialist, it would be necessary to consider reducing compensation, as the country offers a range of
employee benefits (CTS, year-end bonuses), which drive costs significantly higher. “If working hours are reduced while maintaining the benefits currently in place in Peru, it would have a negative economic impact on companies, due to benefits that other countries in the region do not necessarily have,” she said.
In addition, she noted that the government could also provide economic incentives to make this measure viable.
“Many companies may likely agree to reduce the workweek, but there must also be an economic benefit for the employer, because this measure could involve hiring more people, which would mean an increase in labor costs,” he added. If the right formula is found, this measure could lead to increased worker productivity, greater commitment, and an improved quality of life.
Fewer days or fewer hours worked?
According to the Bumeran study, 68% of human resources specialists would agree to reduce the number of hours worked per day, while 33% would prefer to reduce the number of days.
