Could a 4-Day Workweek Boost Moldova's Economy?
The four-day workweek model, currently being tested in several European countries, could prove beneficial for employees in the Republic of Moldova, according to public opinion.
International studies suggest that concentrating working hours into fewer days has led to increased income, a decrease in resignations, and fewer sick days.
While the Moldovan government does not currently plan to regulate such a model, private companies may adopt this approach provided salary rights are preserved.
Citizens interviewed expressed support for the four-day workweek, believing it would offer more rest, leading to greater productivity and the opportunity to pursue other activities.
“I agree, we will have more free time for more activities” ;
“It would be good if we had more days off, we would have time to go to the doctor”;
“I would retrain and try other fields”, were some of the responses.
However, implementing this model could prove more challenging for self-employed individuals, as a young entrepreneur explained. "I am a doctor, I work for the state and for myself, and I also work nights, so I'm not sure how this would apply to me. For budget employees, if they can manage their workload, why not?" she stated.
Presently, the government in Chișinău will not regulate or mandate a four-day workweek for employers. Productivity remains the key priority and cannot be solely measured by time spent at work, according to Alexei Buzu, the relevant minister, in an interview with Radio Moldova.
He added that private companies are free to organise their working time in this manner, provided salary rights are respected, as existing legislation for this sector does not provide specific restrictions.
“We are in an economy based on services and information technologies. In this context, measuring productivity by time spent at the workplace is less relevant; it is more important for employees to be productive. If certain businesses want to organise their time with a four-day workweek, they can do so. The productivity of my teammates is more important than the time they spend at work. The government will not regulate or impose a four-day workweek model on employers in the Republic of Moldova," said Alexei Buzu.
The four-day workweek program underwent an initial six-month pilot project in the UK, with over 60 companies participating. A recent UK study indicates that 89% of these companies opted to continue with the four-day workweek for another year after the program ended.
By forgoing the traditional five-day workweek, these organisations committed to completing 100% of their usual workload in 80% of the time. Consequently, the workweek was shortened to 32 hours without any reduction in pay.
This spring, France will begin a one-year trial of the four-day workweek within its ministries and local administrations.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
