SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 29 September (EUROPA PRESS) –
The president of the Chamber of Commerce in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Santiago Sesé, has stated that any proposal aimed at reducing working hours must take into account the specific characteristics of each economic sector within the Canary Islands, as well as the scale of their businesses. He emphasises the necessity for this to be mutually agreed upon by all stakeholders, including business, labour, and administrative representatives.
“The proposed reduction in working hours jeopardises the viability of a significant portion of our business landscape and, consequently, the stability of employment,” warns Santiago Sesé, referencing the suggestion to reduce the working week from 40 to 37.5 hours.
The president cautions that any forthcoming reduction in working hours “cannot be applied uniformly, using the same criteria across all businesses.” He also highlights that the adverse effects “would be particularly pronounced in certain sectors, such as hospitality and retail, where work demands can be seasonal or subject to irregular hours.”
He elaborates that over 95% of our business environment “comprises micro-enterprises and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that lack the necessary resources to manage issues such as organising shifts or hiring additional staff.” Furthermore, he notes, “these enterprises typically operate with narrow profit margins and limited capacity to bear the additional costs associated with recruiting more personnel.”
Santiago Sesé assures that the Chamber does not oppose this initiative, but it advocates for a thorough evaluation of the dynamics of each sector and the specific characteristics of the business community in the Canary Islands. “Failing to do so, a blanket reduction in working hours could undermine competitiveness and productivity,” he adds.
“Primarily, the Chamber of Commerce is committed to ensuring that the policies enacted for businesses are sustainable and advantageous for both workers and employers,” he concludes.
