'Step in the right direction': Internet lauds Sen Bernie Sanders over his push for 32-hour workweek

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Sen Bernie Sanders took to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to share a clip from his appearance on MSNBC with anchor Chris Hayes where they discussed his call for a 32-hour workweek on Sunday, March 24.

The progressive politician reasoned that with the changing economy, a change in work time was long overdue, especially since the last limit was set over 80 years ago.

Sen Bernie Sanders' tweet

The clip shared by Sanders on X was from the MSNBC show 'All in with Chris Hayes', where the anchor is seen asking the Senator, "You have a new proposal ... the legislation would move past (the 8-hour workweek) to a 32-hour workweek with no loss of pay, that it's not a radical idea. It's time for working people to benefit from advancements in AI, automation, (and) new technology, not just corporate CEOs and wealthy stockholders on Wall Street. How would a legislation like that work, actually?"

"Well for a start, the 40-hour workweek, as I recall, was established in 1940, alright. That is 83, 84 years ago. There have been a few modest changes in the economy over the last 84 years. And what's gone on is workers are far more productive," responded Sanders.

"I mean, think about all of the technology and equipment that's out there today. So the question that we're going to be asking tomorrow is: who benefits from all of the changes that have taken place in the economy, the new technology and by the way, the artificial intelligence and robotics that's sitting around the corner, that is going to transform the entire economy?"

"Most people, if you got a job today, it's going to be very different (from) 10, 15 years ago from today if you have that job. So what we are saying is, with all of this new technology, an increase in worker productivity, workers should benefit from these changes, not just large corporations and the stockholders," he added.

The Senator reiterated his point by writing in the post, "The 40-hour workweek was established in 1940. Call me a radical, but I’d say there have been a few modest changes in the economy since then. In the year 2024, it’s time for a 32-hour workweek with no loss in pay."

Internet reacts to Bernie Sanders' tweet

Netizens spoke up in support of the Senator, as the following tweets demonstrate.

"Absolutely, @BernieSanders! I couldn't agree more. It's high time that America adopts a 32-hour workweek to provide a better work-life balance for our hardworking citizens. By allowing people to enjoy their money and shop more, we can invigorate the economy and make a positive impact on everyone's quality of life. Let's make this change happen and move towards a more balanced and prosperous future! #32HourWorkWeek #WorkLifeBalance #ShopMoreSaveMore," posted a user.

"Amazing idea," commented another.

"A 32-hour workweek in 2024 sounds like a step in the right direction," wrote one user.

"The opposite of a taxi cut for billionaires. A smart way to get billionaires to pay there share of taxes that is owed to the people," quipped a user.

"Microsoft, IBM, Apple, Google, Amazon, et al. have enabled so much increase in worker productivity that a 32 hour workweek makes sense today. And AI is on track to increase productivity even more," noted another user.

"Having lived in countries where that's common, it totally worked, if not better," stated one user.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.