Greens Party announce four-day work week policy push ahead of federal election

The Greens have announced a four-day work week policy that could see businesses lose 20 per cent of a worker’s time, with no impact on the worker’s pay.

“Ordinary Australians have been working hard for decades and not seeing a fair share of the results,” Senator Barbara Pocock said.

“A four-day week will share more fairly the products of their labour.

“Productivity gains over the past two decades have fed into higher profits while real wages have stagnated.

“A shorter working week alleviates the burden of stress and burn-out.

Senator Pocock said international trials have shown productivity increases.

“The Greens’ policy will initiate a series of national trials in different industries where workers work 80 per cent of their normal hours while maintaining 100 per cent of pay,” she said.

“It’s a win-win for everybody.”

The Greens said they would complete test cases through the Fair Work Commission, aiming to reduce working hours with no loss of pay.

“Our society is changing, more women and carers are at work, yet we are constrained by archaic labour laws that see the fruits of our efforts swallowed up in profits for bosses and shareholders,” Senator Pocock said.

“This is about justice for working people. We work to live not live to work.

“It’s more than 40 years since the last reduction in working hours in 1983. The benefits in mental and physical health from shorter hours are well documented and the impact on women’s workforce participation will be significant as shorter hours assist those with caring responsibility.

“If men work less hours they are more likely to pick up their kids from school and pick up the vacuum cleaner at home.”