(CS) Asking political decision-maker to question neoliberal economic policy, the youth branch of Luxembourg's Green party has called for a gradual reduction of the workweek from 40 to 21 hours.

The group said that it was part of junior politics to challenge accepted constructs, including labour.

With the government, labour unions and employers currently debating the flexibilisation of working hours to make Luxembourg businesses more competitive, the Young Greens said that work should not become an “economic screw, that can be adjusted as needed.”

Asking whether we work to live or live or to work in an increasingly achievement-oriented society, “déi Jonk Grénk” propose a very different labour model.

Through a gradual reduction of working hours to 21 per week, they argue, more jobs would be available. “Additionally, you would have more time for acquaintances, friends and family and substantially more possibilities to volunteer or contribute socially on different levels.”

A better work-life balance would lead to positive changes in the economic rhythm, a statement by the young politicians reads, also leading to more sustainability in terms of emission levels.

“Déi Jonk Gréng” based their evaluation on findings by the British think-tank New Economics Foundation, which in 2010 also called for a 21-hour working week.

In a report, the New Economics Foundation argued that “a ‘normal’ working week of 21 hours could help to address a range of urgent, interlinked problems: overwork, unemployment, over-consumption, high carbon emissions, low well-being, entrenched inequalities, and the lack of time to live sustainably, to care for each other, and simply to enjoy life.”