Spain considers going back in time

THE Spanish government will be discussing the possibility of putting its clocks back permanently and returning to the Greenwich Mean Time zone with an aim to reducing the length of the working day.

The country was originally in the same time zone as Portugal and the UK, but was moved forward by dictator Francisco Franco to bring it in line with Germany under Adolf Hitler.

This, according to labour minister, Fatima Ibañez, has led to Spaniards working longer days than other European countries. Those in favour of putting the clocks back claim it would improve productivity and help the country’s workers to strike a better work/life balance.

Ibañez announced on Monday (December 12) that the government will be seeking agreement with representatives of companies and trade unions to allow the reform, approved back in August by Partido Popular and Ciudadanos political parties, to go ahead.