Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

I asked the Minister to comment on proposals to reduce the working week to four days. I would argue that that should be combined with no loss of pay such that people are not harmed. This is part of a green new deal vision for transforming our society, avoiding climate catastrophe and giving people time to contribute to society, taking advantage of massive productivity increases the benefits of which overwhelmingly go to the bosses and the capitalists.

There is a trade union campaign in Ireland for a four-day working week. It refers to the study in Sweden that shows that for every 1% reduction in working hours, energy consumption and emissions are reduced by 0.8%. If that was translated to Ireland and we worked to a four day working week, emissions could be reduced by 16%. Various studies show clear benefits in productivity, mental health and workers being happy and contributing at work and society. It would benefit workers in this country.

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