Canarian business owners are against 37.5-hour working week due to impact on small firms
Spain has been debating whether to reduce the standard working week from 40 to 37.5 hours with no change in wages, but the proposal is facing resistance, particularly in the Canary Islands, where most businesses are small and family-run.
While the law is not yet approved, here’s what it could mean in practice if it eventually goes ahead, as it will primarily affect small businesses and SME’s, as larger businesses could absorb the change more easily:
Shops and small businesses
- Many Canarian businesses are micro-enterprises (with only a few staff). Owners warn they might have to shorten opening hours, close on some afternoons to adapt, or even close their business.
- Larger supermarket chains and shopping centres are less likely to be affected, as they can hire extra staff.
Hospitality and tourism
- Restaurants, bars, and cafés, particularly small, family-run ones, say they could face difficulties covering staff hours, meaning reduced terrace service or shorter kitchen hours.
- Hotels and bigger hospitality groups would adapt more easily, since they already employ larger teams.
Public services
- If applied in the public sector, residents and visitors might notice slightly reduced opening hours in some government offices or services. However, most frontline services, such as healthcare and transport, would remain unaffected.
Employment and tourism impact
- Supporters argue the reform would create thousands of new jobs in the Canary Islands, improving work–life balance for employees.
- Critics, including the islands’ business associations, warn of a possible negative impact on competitiveness and tourism, especially if service hours shrink during peak holiday seasons.
What this means for visitors
For tourists, the main effect could be subtle changes in shop and restaurant timetables in smaller towns or rural areas, particularly outside peak tourist zones. In larger resorts and shopping centres, services would almost certainly continue as usual.
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