Private and public companies in the Dominican Republic are preparing to begin a six-month voluntary pilot scheme that shortens the work week to four days, the first time the Caribbean nation has taken such a measure.

The initiative will begin in February and workers will receive the same salaries, according to the Dominican government. The work week will be reduced from 44 to 36 working hours, from Monday to Thursday.

“The goal is to be able to use this time to address family and personal issues and contribute to the health and well-being of the individual, the family and the environment,” said Labor Minister Luis Miguel de Camps.

The participating companies are, among others, Latin American telecommunications giant Claro, Energy company EGE HainaThe heavy equipment manufacturer IMCA and the state-run national health insurance.

A local university will analyze the results, including the impact on workers' health and personal lives.

currently, Companies allocate eight working hours during the week and another four hours on Saturdays; They can distribute it however they want, provided that it does not exceed 44 hours per week.