The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) proposed a shorter working week — including the possibility of a four-day model — to the federal Labor government’s Economic Reform Roundtable in Canberra, over August 19–21.

The ACTU has urged a national move towards a four-day workweek where it can be applied, while introducing sector-specific alternatives in industries where different arrangements are more appropriate.

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The ACTU stressed that pay and conditions — including penalty rates, overtime and minimum staffing levels — must be protected so that workers are not forced to sacrifice wages for shorter hours.

The ACTU suggested sector-specific options for reducing working hours, including more rostered days off, longer annual leave entitlements and redesigned rosters.

“Unions want all Australians to benefit from higher productivity — not just those with money and power,” ACTU president Michele O’Neil said. “Productivity growth does not automatically translate to higher living standards.

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