Get ready for a long weekend at Barneys!
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) wants Americans to follow the lead of some members of Congress and work fewer hours while still receiving the same pay.
The self-described “democratic socialist” passionately advocated for a 32-hour work week as a national standard while chairing Thursday’s Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee (HELP) hearing.
“American workers are more than 400 percent more productive today than they were in the 1940s,” Sanders, 82, said.
“Nearly all of the economic gains from that innovation have remained intact, while workers’ wages have remained stagnant or even worse.”
Sanders revealed that “32-hour work week law” On Wednesday, he insisted it was “not a radical idea.”
“The economic gains from major advances in artificial intelligence, automation and new technologies should benefit the working class, not just corporate CEOs and wealthy Wall Street shareholders,” he said in a statement. “It’s time to reduce stress levels in our country and help Americans enjoy a better quality of life. It’s time to work a 32-hour work week without losing pay.”
The bill would shorten the length of the standard work week over four years. lower the threshold Overtime pay is paid for any workday that exceeds 8 hours, and double pay is paid for shifts that exceed 12 hours.
In 1938, then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Fair Labor Standards Act, which established the right to minimum wage and 1.5 hours of overtime pay for anyone working more than 40 hours a week.
a 2019 Gallup Poll We found that more than half of U.S. adults report working more than 40 hours a week in a full-time job.
Sanders pointed to France, which has a 35-hour workweek and is discussing lowering it to 32 hours, as a model for how countries can foster a culture of working fewer hours.
Conservative critics scoffed at the idea, with the person submitting the bill; “That policy is the equivalent of a kid running for class president in elementary school and promising to eliminate homework and make ice cream every Friday.”
“In a world where hiring overseas talent has never been easier.” another person said“This is insane and directly hurts the people he is trying to help.”
“Forcing businesses to pay for reduced productivity does not lead to better outcomes for workers. The result is higher inflation, increased reliance on automation, and fewer jobs.” yet another person said. “Bernie has been on the taxpayers’ payroll for 40 years, so he probably doesn’t know anything about this.”
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana), a ranking member of the HELP Committee, directly opposed the plan.
“The 40-hour wage for a 32-hour work week is another example of the federal government promising free money. Nothing is free. It will kill jobs and increase inflation. “Ro” He said.
Despite the skepticism, polls show strong voter interest in establishing a four-day week nationwide, and some states such as Massachusetts and Pennsylvania are considering the idea.
