A four-day working week in Montenegro looks like a distant fantasy, as neither the government nor the private sector is considering this idea.
Developed countries such as the Nordic countries, Great Britain, Switzerland and New Zealand have already started the implementation or reconsideration of a shorter, four-day work week. Croatian consulting company ‘Logičke matrice’ was considering this idea and its head, Renata Šeperić-Petak explained people need to have more free time for leisure, family and relaxation, which made her suggest the introduction of a four-day working week.
Montenegrin Ministry of Public Administration, on the other hand, told Pobjeda, a daily, a shorter working week is unlikely to be introduced. They reminded of the last year’s adoption of amendments to the Decree on Organization and Manner of Work of Public Administration, stipulating new working hours, from 7:00am to 3:00pm.
The Union of Free Trade Unions in Montenegro, USSCG, said the idea is good but their primarily goal is to ensure adherence to norms that envisage a 40-hour workweek.
“Ever since 2009, the USSCG has been struggling to ensure a 40-hour workweek plus a minimum of 1 day off and respecting the rights of employees while on public holidays. We often pointed out to these issues but state bodies have never reacted,” explained the USSCG, adding that the idea of a four-day working week represents a good and constructive model.
