A recent analysis by Randstad reveals that Portugal ranks fourth among EU countries for the percentage of employees working 49 hours or more weekly, at 9.1%, surpassing the European average of 6.5%. Portugal follows Greece (12.4%), Cyprus (10%), and France (9.7%), reflecting a long-standing culture of extended work hours in the country.
The data shows that the percentage of employees working long hours in Portugal significantly exceeds the norms in both the public and private sectors, where the expected working hours are 35 hours in the public sector and 40 hours in the private sector. The analysis indicates that Portugal outperforms countries like Germany and Spain, where the percentages of employees working long hours are 5% and 6.3%, respectively.
Event Details
Despite some improvements for workers in recent years, Portugal still lags behind other European standards. According to the report, the prevailing culture in the country continues to support long working hours, with approximately 35% of employers regularly working 49 hours or more weekly in 2024, while the percentage among self-employed individuals is around 20%.
For employees, the percentage is much lower, with only about 6.8% experiencing long working hours at that time. The report indicates that this phenomenon disproportionately affects employers and self-employed workers, raising questions about its impact on productivity and the overall well-being of workers.
Background & Context
Historically, Portugal has seen significant changes in its labor market structure since 2000, with a decline in long working hours; however, the prevailing culture still promotes overtime work. The percentage of workers with higher education has notably increased, doubling from 11.4% in 1992 to 33.7% by the end of 2024. Nevertheless, the overall percentage of highly educated workers in Portugal, at 36.2%, remains below the EU average of 39.2%.
In this context, data shows that Portugal ranks eighth in the EU for the percentage of low-skilled workers, reaching 29.1%, which is double the European average of 14.7%. These figures indicate significant challenges facing the labor market in Portugal, particularly regarding workforce qualification.
Impact & Consequences
Analyses suggest that a high percentage of low-skilled workers may negatively impact the country's economic growth. Additionally, the continuation of long working hours may lead to increased stress and burnout among workers, affecting their productivity and mental health. It is crucial for Portugal to adopt flexible work policies that support a balance between work and personal life, which could contribute to improving the quality of life for workers.
Furthermore, the report shows that the percentage of foreign citizens in the labor market in Portugal has significantly increased, rising from 1.4% in 2000 to 6.6% by the end of 2024. This increase reflects a new dynamic in attracting talent and the growing importance of immigration in sustaining the Portuguese labor market.
Regional Significance
Portugal's experience with long working hours and labor market challenges is particularly relevant for Arab countries, many of which face similar challenges regarding working conditions and labor rights. Arab nations can benefit from studying this experience and adopting policies that improve working conditions and provide a healthy work environment for workers.
In conclusion, the situation in Portugal highlights the urgent need to reassess the work culture and strive to improve working conditions in line with European standards, which could enhance productivity and worker well-being.