Montenegro's 7-Hour Workday: A Balancing Act Between Public Desire and Economic Reality

Montenegro's Seven-Hour Workday Proposal: Public Support Meets Business Concerns Podgorica, Montenegro – A proposed reduction of the standard workday to seven hours in Montenegro has sparked a public debate. While many citizens express enthusiasm for the change, citing potential improvements to work-life balance, business owners, especially in tourism, express apprehension. "Odlična ideja," one woman interviewed on the street enthusiastically stated, translating to "Excellent idea!" This sentiment reflects the overall positive response from many citizens interviewed in the video report. However, Zorica Kovačević, director of Hotel Signum, cautions against the proposal's potential economic ramifications. "Kolege iz hotelske industrije Crne Gore definitivno su protiv ovakve ideje," she explains, meaning "Colleagues from Montenegro's hotel industry are definitively against this idea." She highlights concerns about increased labor costs and the lack of a thorough economic analysis before implementation. Economic analyst Mirza Mulešković emphasizes the need for careful planning, warning that without a detailed analysis and strengthening of the real economy, the reform could easily remain an unfulfilled wish. He suggests that the inclusion of breaks within the seven-hour workday needs to be considered. The government initially announced the proposal ahead of the 2023 elections, presenting it as a key reform to improve citizens' quality of life. The video concludes by posing the question: will this shorter workday bring better work-life balance, or only headaches?