[PEN-L:5023] PEN-L Shorter work week

["Downing, Rupert (953-5119)" <RDOWNING@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

People interested in recent analysis of redistributing work through
reductions in working time, might like to take a look at the Canadian Report
of the Federal Government Advisory Group on Working Time and the
Distribution of Work, December, 1994.

The Advisory Group commissioned Informetrica to examine the impact of
reductions in working time on the economy and on job creation in Canada.

A 10% reduction in working time, and a 5 % increase in productivity, phased
in over 5 years, and then maintained for another five years, produced a 4.1%
reduction in unemployment nationally (from 1995 to 1999).  Real GDP was
unaffected, whilst disposable income dropped 0.7%, according to the model
they used.

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Rupert Downing
Victoria, BC
rdowning@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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