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Spain planning to ditch the siesta

The famous siesta of Spanish culture may soon be a thing of the past if the country's Prime Minis...
Newstalk
Newstalk

16.59 4 Apr 2016


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Spain planning to ditch the si...

Spain planning to ditch the siesta

Newstalk
Newstalk

16.59 4 Apr 2016


Share this article


The famous siesta of Spanish culture may soon be a thing of the past if the country's Prime Minister gets his way.

Mariano Rajoy has announced plans to bring Spain's working day in line with its European counterparts and scrap the three-hour midday break workers currently enjoy.

Employees in the country generally start their days at 10am before a break at 2pm to allow them to return home to nap for several hours.

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They then return to work and finish their shift at approximately 8pm.

It is a system that has its roots in agricultural traditions, where workers were spared the uncomfortable midday heat.

Mr Rajoy said at a party conference over the weekend:

"I will find a consensus to make sure the working day ends at 6pm".

He is looking to gain support on the decision from other parties, business organisations and unions.

The move would apparently be a popular one in Spain, with Rajoy hoping it helps him and his caretaker government in the polls when Spain's next general election takes place in June.

The Prime Minister also wants to return Spain to Greenwich Mean Time. It has been one hour ahead of London, Dublin and Lisbon since General Franco adopted German Time in 1942 as a show of support for Hitler.


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