José Manuel Bolieiro announces pilot project for four-day work week in Regional Public Administration - Communication

Presidência do Governo Regional

The President of the Regional Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, chaired today the opening session of the 6th Labour Law Days – Azores at the Teatro Micaelense. This forum has promoted reflection and debate on issues central to the dignity of work in the Region since 2015.

The ceremony was attended by the President of the Constitutional Court, Professor José João Abrantes, and the Judge of the Supreme Administrative Court, Ana Celeste Carvalho, whose presence was highlighted by the President of the Government as "a contribution that greatly honours this event and enriches the debate on the future of labour law in Portugal and the Azores."

The head of the Azorean Government highlighted the timeliness and relevance of the theme chosen for this edition, "New models of working time organisation: The four-day work week - Implications." According to him, "we are living in a time of profound demographic, technological and organisational change, which challenges old understandings of productivity, talent attraction and service quality in both the public and private sectors."

The President of the Government defended that the reorganisation of working hours "must be conducted with balance, responsibility and respect for workers' rights." In this regard, he noted that "flexibility must be supported by contractual clarification, risk assessment and mechanisms to prevent abuse, ensuring equal treatment and predictability in the management of working time."

In his speech, José Manuel Bolieiro announced that the Regional Government will move forward with a four-day work week pilot project in the Regional Public Administration, scheduled to begin on January 1, 2026, and have a duration of six months.

The aim, as he explained, is ‘to improve the balance between professional, personal and family life, boost productivity and well-being, and contribute to the competitiveness of our services, always in strict compliance with applicable legislation.’ The sample of services and workers who will participate in the pilot project will be selected in November, after consultation with the unions and senior officials of the Regional Public Administration.

José Manuel Bolieiro emphasised that the project is based on an agreement between workers and employers, based on evidence and followed up by an independent assessment. As for the private sector, he stated that the approach will be "cautious, but encouraging voluntary, measured and reversible pilot projects," aligned with the Labour Code and collective bargaining. He stressed that public support will be technical, focused on process diagnosis, management training and independent assessment, "without resorting to direct wage subsidies."

As for the private sector, he stated that the approach will be "cautious, but encouraging voluntary, measured and reversible pilot projects," aligned with the Labour Code and collective bargaining. He stressed that public support will be technical, focused on process diagnosis, management training and independent assessment, "without resorting to direct wage subsidies."

The Regional Government's actions will be guided by five fundamental principles: priority given to citizen service; gradual, evidence-based experimentation before rolling out any solution; social dialogue; sectoral and territorial adequacy of solutions; and transparency, through public indicators and external assessment.

The head of the Azorean Government ended his speech with a message of confidence and commitment, stating that he believes that "the future of work in the Azores will be built on dialogue, innovation, and the courage to seek new solutions." He added that the"Government is committed to a fairer, more productive and more humane region, where economic progress is achieved with dignity for workers and their families."

The 6th Labour Law Days – Azores are taking place on the island of São Miguel. The event brings together academics, magistrates, lawyers, managers and public officials in a space for debate and sharing on the challenges and opportunities that new models of labour organisation pose to contemporary society.

Related press release: Speech by the President of the Government