Uruguay's construction sector has reached a preliminary agreement to reduce the work week from 44 to 40 hours over several years.

Uruguay's construction workers' union, Sunca, and employer chambers reached a preliminary agreement on Tuesday to progressively reduce the work week from 44 to 40 hours. The deal follows more than four months of negotiations and industrial action. The agreement must still be ratified by the union's general assembly, endorsed by both parties, and approved by the Labor and Social Security Ministry.

Implementation and terms

Sunca president Richard Ferreira stated the reduction will begin next year at a rate of one hour per year without loss of pay, reaching the 40-hour goal in 2030. The agreement allows for two scheduling arrangements: working one hour less per day or four hours less on Fridays. The deal is set to run for five years, through 2031, and includes provisions for real wage increases, mental health, and expanded social policies.

Negotiation context

The agreement follows a period of tension where three of the four employer chambers previously disavowed an earlier understanding, delaying progress. During the dispute, Sunca alleged that hundreds of workers were placed on unemployment insurance in retaliation for the negotiations, a claim that remains unconfirmed. Labor Minister Juan Castillo had previously identified the working hours as the primary obstacle to a new collective agreement.