The Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung Brussels Office, a member of transform! europe, organises this online event focusing on the role of working time reduction when addressing climate change.
The shorter working week has always been at the heart of the labour movement. The eight-hour movement extended beyond borders and ensured that today we enjoy things like the weekend and the eight-hour day. After decades in the political wilderness, the shorter working week is fast becoming one of the major political issues across Europe: now it is not only about workers’ wellbeing, equality and the reduction of unemployment – now it could be about saving the planet, too!
Research has demonstrated that shorter work hours are associated with reduced carbon emissions, however the relationship is complex. At our 2020 conference, we want to discuss the potential contribution of working time reduction to the socio-ecological transition, its role in initiatives addressing climate change and its place in approaches to the European Green New Deal. The public conference brings together key actors from campaigns on the reduction of working time, policy-makers, and climate initiatives from across Europe.
Thursday, October 22th (13:30-19:00)
Friday October 23th (9:00-13:00 & 14:30-17:00)
All the hours in the programme are in UTC+2 (CEST)
The European Network for the fair sharing of working time was set up by ATTAC Germany (ArbeitFairTeilen Group) and the Collectif Roosevelt (France), and today includes numerous organizations such as trade unions, NGOs, citizens' movements and associations, scientists, policy makers and members of the European Parliament from 15 countries. The conference is supported by the Brussels Office of the Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung.
13:30–13:45 Welcome and opening
13:45–14:00 Introduction
14:00–16:00 Recent examples of initiatives and experimentations of the WTR in Europe
16:00–16:30 Break
16:30–18:30 The place of the working time reduction in a post growth society
Speakers:
18:30–18:45 Conclusion of the first day and information about the next roundtables
08:45–09:00 Welcome and opening
09:00–11:00 The place of the working time reduction in the Green New Deal propositions and initiatives for climate: how to help people in the transition to the WTR?
Speakers:
11:00–11:30 Break
11:30–13:00 The French Example: Behind the myth: effects and consequences of the 35 hours 20 years after
Moderated by Adrien Tusseau, Roosevelt Network (France)
13:00–14:30 Break
14:30–16:30 Coalition of Trade Unions and NGO to promote working time reduction:
Speakers:
16:30–17:00 – Conclusion of the conference