Congress seeks to increase the salary of night workers by 35%

Congress approved – in the first vote – an opinion that adjusts the terms of night work, increasing the salary received by employees by 35%.

In detail, it is noted a 35% increase in remuneration for those employees who work from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am and it is established that at least a period of 11 hours of rest is guaranteed before the next shift.

It should be noted that currently workers for their activities in the early morning receive a minimum salary of S/1,383, made up of the Minimum Living Remuneration (RMV) (S/1,025) and 35% of this amount. Now, if this initiative pending a second vote succeeds, a worker, for example, who receives S/3,000 per month, would have the right to a payment of S/4,050.

The labor activist Javier Mujica specifies that, without gray areas in the middle, it is vital to raise the salary for the labour night in a scenario of rising prices basic basketconsidering the strong inflation.

“I consider it appropriate to remunerate early morning work that demands sacrifice, especially for those who have families (…) This surcharge It wouldn’t have to mean unemployment or informality because it is a job that generates profits for a company. Profits are not taken away from the employer, they are just paid a little better,” he mentioned for La República.

In addition, the initiative establishes that night shifts now have a rotating nature, except for restrictions related to safety and health at work. And, regarding the proposed 35% surcharge, employers are given room to set terms “more beneficial for the worker and their health.”

Mujica highlights the emotional factor in the home of working late at night and the need for better recognition, although he is pessimistic about the decision that Congress may make, since “they usually approve unsuspected things” to the detriment of the common good.

Companies against

According to a survey by Vinatea and Toyama of 100 business leaders, 70% consider that regulatory changes to night work would affect the hiring of personal.

Furthermore, 58% of corporate companies believe that greater profits will be generated labor costs and 9%, that there will be logistical problems and loss of efficiency in the production of their service.

Likewise, they specify that 70% of the firms surveyed by their study have personnel who work at night, even so, in more than a third the rate of night employees is less than 15%; added to the fact that 45% already apply rotating schedules for these days.

Vinatea and Toyama point out that if this law is approved labor costs would be damaged and the functioning of businesses, with dangerous consequences, assuming that the Peruvian economy will grow close to 0% this year and that companies manage to reduce costs in the face of inflation.

“The measure would not have the desired impact of increasing the well-being of night workers. It would raise the salary cost and discourage formal hiring,” they add.

Data

Tight. The text was approved in the first instance with 49 votes in favor, 46 against and 11 abstentions.

Effect. Vinatea and Toyama allege that state sector employees would also be affected and freedom of work would be violated by establishing mandatory shift rotation.

The word

Javier Mujica, labor activist

“I consider it appropriate to overpay night work that requires sacrifice (…) It would not mean unemployment or informality because it is a job that generates profits.”

The numbers

• Night shift workers currently receive a minimum of S/1,383.
• 18% of companies consider that there will be no impact with this law.