From working hard to working efficiently.

As the growth model shifts towards technology and efficiency, working hours can no longer be viewed purely in terms of quantity. The proposal to reduce working hours from 48 hours per week to 44 hours, and eventually to 40 hours, necessitates a shift in labor management thinking and the assurance of social equity in Vietnam.

Illustrative image.

Vietnam is currently among the few countries that still maintain a high normal working hour framework of 48 hours per week. Meanwhile, most countries in Southeast Asia have approached or adopted a 40-44 hour framework.

This disparity creates a paradox: Vietnamese workers work at high intensity and for long hours at machines, yet their ability to regenerate energy and achieve a work-life balance is lower than that of many countries with similar levels of development.

The 48-hour workweek has fulfilled its historical role during a period of extensive economic growth, heavily reliant on cheap labor.

As Vietnam aims to become a high-income country, this model begins to reveal its clear limitations. Prolonged, intense work directly impacts physical and mental health, while also diminishing the creativity and long-term productivity of the workforce.

Reducing working hours generates surplus value that is difficult to fully reflect in short-term financial reports.

With more time for rest and family care, employees will improve their health, reduce sick leave, and increase their commitment to the company.

Shortening working hours also puts pressure on businesses to innovate technology, optimize management processes, and improve efficiency.

Simultaneously, consumer demand in the service, tourism , and entertainment sectors has the potential to expand, contributing to the formation of a new economic cycle and promoting more sustainable domestic growth.

However, the proposal to reduce working hours inevitably faces resistance. The biggest concern from businesses is the challenge of maintaining production levels when working hours are reduced but basic wages remain unchanged.

Labor costs per unit of product may increase, undermining the price competitiveness of Vietnamese goods in the international market.

For some low-income workers, reduced working hours also carry the risk of reduced income from overtime, which is crucial for covering daily living expenses.

Reducing working hours is an inevitable trend of social progress, but the implementation roadmap needs careful consideration. The government needs policies to support businesses in digital transformation and investment in modern machinery and technology to compensate for the gap in working hours.

At the same time, consensus and sharing between employers and employees play a crucial role.

Research into reducing working hours is not only about allowing workers more rest, but also about enabling them to work smarter and more efficiently. This is also one of the crucial conditions for Vietnam to overcome the middle-income trap and move towards a progressive and sustainable developed society.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/xa-hoi/202602/tu-lam-nhieu-sang-lam-hieu-qua-46c0510/