fr.euronews.com
Long Working Hours in Europe: A Persistent Issue Despite Recent Decline
In 2024, 6.6% of EU workers aged 20–64 worked at least 49 hours weekly, down from 8.4% in 2019, with Greece (12.4%) and Iceland (13.6%) having the highest rates, while Bulgaria had the lowest (0.4%). This is despite the health risks associated with long working hours.
- Which EU countries have the highest and lowest percentages of workers reporting 49+ hour workweeks, and what factors might contribute to these national differences?
- The highest proportion of long working hours is found in Greece (12.4%), followed by Iceland (13.6% including all European countries), Cyprus (10%), and France (9.9%). These figures highlight significant disparities across EU nations, ranging from 0.4% in Bulgaria to over 10% in several Southern European countries. This disparity is also reflected in the average weekly working hours across the EU, with a range of 32.1 hours in the Netherlands to 39.8 hours in Greece.
- What is the current percentage of EU workers aged 20-64 working 49+ hours weekly, and how does this compare to previous years, highlighting the most significant implications?
- In 2024, 6.6% of EU workers aged 20-64 worked at least 49 hours per week, down from 8.4% in 2019 and 9.8% in 2014. This decrease, however, doesn't negate the significant number of individuals still working excessive hours, with considerable national variations.
- Considering the health risks associated with long working hours, what policy changes or societal shifts might be necessary to mitigate the negative impacts and promote a better work-life balance across the EU?
- The persistent issue of long working hours, despite a general decrease, raises significant health concerns. A 2015 UCL study showed a 33% increased stroke risk for those working over 55 hours weekly. Furthermore, a 2021 WHO/ILO report linked long shifts (over 55 hours) to 745,000 deaths from strokes and heart disease in 2016, a 29% increase since 2000. This underscores the need for policies addressing work-life balance and mitigating health risks associated with excessive work.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames long working hours as a significant problem, highlighting the negative health consequences and the high percentage of workers affected. The headline (if there was one) would likely emphasize the negative aspects, thereby influencing public perception towards viewing long working hours as undesirable. The repeated mention of health risks and the inclusion of statistics on deaths from cardiovascular disease contribute to this framing.
Language Bias
While the article mostly uses neutral language, phrases like "long shifts" and "weeks à rallonge" (in French) subtly suggest that long working hours are excessive or undesirable. The frequent mention of negative health consequences, without balancing it with potential positive aspects, also contributes to a negative tone. Consider using more neutral terms such as 'extended work hours' or 'longer working week'.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses primarily on the number of people working long hours and the negative health consequences, but it omits discussion of potential benefits of working longer hours, such as higher earnings or increased job satisfaction. It also lacks a detailed analysis of the types of jobs associated with long working hours beyond mentioning skilled agricultural, forestry, and fishing workers and managers. The article does not explore the reasons behind the decrease in long working hours in the EU since 2005, which could offer valuable insights.
False Dichotomy
The article doesn't present a false dichotomy, but it implicitly frames long working hours as predominantly negative, neglecting to explore the complexities and individual variations in experiences.
Gender Bias
The article highlights the gender disparity, noting that men are more likely to work long hours than women (9.3% vs 3.6%). This is presented as a factual observation rather than a judgment. However, the article could benefit from further analysis of the underlying societal factors contributing to this disparity.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights that a significant portion of Europeans work excessive hours (49+ hours/week), impacting their health and well-being. This contradicts SDG 8, which aims for decent work and economic growth with improved working conditions and reduced working hours. The negative impact on health from overwork also reduces productivity and economic output in the long term.