The second Albanians in Europe with the longest working hours/ The administration works 3.7 hours less per week than others

2024-07-17 07:35:00, Aktualitet CNA

The second Albanians in Europe with the longest working hours/ The

Illustrative photo

Although it ranks among the countries with the lowest wages in Europe, Albania leads in another indicator, that of working hours.

Local employees stay at work long, although the reward they receive at the end of the month may not be so motivating for the time spent.

The latest INSTAT data show that in 2023, the average weekly working hours for salaried employees were 43.7, unchanged from the previous year, while the total average weekly working hours in the economy were 42.

With both of these indicators, Albania ranks second in Europe after Turkey, with the latter's employees working 44.2 hours a week.

According to Eurostat, the European Union average in 2023 for employees was much lower, at 36.1 hours per week, from 36.4 the previous year.

Even within the EU there are many differences. The longest working weeks were recorded in Greece (39.8 hours), Romania (39.5), Poland (39.3) and Bulgaria (39.0). In contrast, the Netherlands had the shortest working week (32.2 hours), followed by Austria (33.6) and Germany (34.0).

In the region it is generally worked longer. In Serbia, 41.7 hours are worked per week, in North Macedonia 39 (2020 data), in Montenegro 42.8 (2020 data), in Bosnia and Herzegovina 41.4.

Administration works 3.7 hours a week less than others

The day before, the government decided to reduce the working hours for the public administration from 9.30 to 15.30, reducing it by two hours from the normal schedule, due to the hot weather.

Even before this change, those working in administration had the shortest working hours in the country. According to INSTAT data, for employees in the economic activity "Public Administration, Social Services, and other activities and services", in 2023 they worked 40 hours a week, or 3.7 hours less than the average of other employees.

Of the salaried employees in the country, the longest hours are in production (46.5) and construction (45.6).

Employees in commerce, bars and restaurants, hotels, business and administrative services also work long hours, spending an average of 45.1 hours per week. Even in agriculture, work lasts 44.8 hours a week.

By comparison, the European average for service and sales workers is around 35 hours.

Managers in Europe have the longest hours, with an average of 41.2 hours, ranking the second longest. The record in Europe for long-time work is held by agriculture, with 42.4 hours. Elementary professions have the lowest level with about 32 hours per week.

Women work about 2 hours less per week than men

In Albania, men work an average of 44.6 hours per week, compared to 42.7 hours for women.

In manufacturing, both men and women work almost the same long hours, 46.5 and 46.4 hours respectively.

Women who work in administration are the most privileged, with 39.3 hours per week, compared to 40.9 hours for men, in the same category.

In "Trade, Transport, Hospitality, Business and Administrative Services", women work 43.6 hours a week and men 46.2./ Monitor Magazine