We read in the ARA that "Labor Day was supposed to arrive two days after the bill for the reduction of the working day was approved," but the blackout "forced the Spanish government to postpone the measure's approval." Yolanda Díaz has said that "this May Day will be the last with a 40-hour workday," because the government will approve its reduction in the Council of Ministers next Tuesday. Tomorrow you'll shave me.
I would like to work fewer hours, although the work I do—this column, among other writings—makes me too happy, and without it I would be unhappy. But that privilege will only be for salaried workers. When the other day, during the blackout, the government said that teachers were required to be in schools until parents came to pick up their children, I thought there were teachers who were also parents. How could they have to go and pick up their own children? It's always like that. We're talking, theoretically, about the rights of some, and the rights of some conflict with the rights of others. A salaried employee may perhaps have reduced hours. A hairdresser or a driving instructor won't, or won't get ahead. What's more, they'll need to work more hours to compensate for their employee's free time.
I read From unemployment to leisure, from the Racionero, and it captivated me. I'd like to have days off and, of course, money so I wouldn't suffer, or these days off wouldn't make any sense. I don't see any way to be a dignified retiree, with the money I'm going to earn as a self-employed person. Yes, life is for enjoying it, says the head of the ARA (Argentine National Association of Workers) when talking about reduced working hours. But can you enjoy life with one less hour a week? Perhaps. My feeling is that of plate spinner: I have to keep moving the stick, without stopping, so that the plate doesn't fall on my head.
