Romanians work the most hours a week in the European Union, an average of 41.3 hours in 2011, similarly to 2011, according to a recent report from Eurofound. The average working hours in the EU is 39.7 hours, and in the eurozone, of 39.5 hours. Work hours refer to the main job and do not include a second job or part-time activity. In Romania, the negotiated work program is of 40 hours a week, which is the maximum number in the EU.

Romanians are among last when it comes to free days, 21 days of paid holiday a year, compared to 30 for Germans, French and Danish. In 2011, Romania had only six legal free days, excluding those that were on Sunday.

Countries with a paid holiday of 20 days had between 7 and 12 free days during the year for legal holidays.

Spain had the highest number of free holidays, 14, Malta and Slovakia, followed by with 12.

When it comes to work, Luxembourg has the second longest work schedule during a week after Romania, of 40.7 hours, while Germany, 40.6 hours. Estonia and the UK have 40.5 hours, while Austria and Bulgaria work 40.3 hours a week. At the other end of the scale is Finland, with 37.8 hours, which translates as Fins working around a week a year less than Romanians.

editor@romania-insider.com

(photo source: sxc.hu)