How To Boost Economy? Simple-Reduce Work Days To 4! New Zealand PM's Different Approach

As the world is struggling over COVID-19 economic crisis, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has come up with ways and plans to help the country back in form. She has suggested a four-day workweek that could help revitalize the country’s economy.

During a Facebook live session, Jacinda supported the idea of a shorter working week to encourage domestic tourism. “The question for me is, how do we encourage Kiwis to … get out and about, and visit some of the amazing places and tourism offerings that we have,” she asked on Facebook Live.

“I hear lots of people suggesting we should have a four-day workweek. Ultimately that really sits between employers and employees. But as I’ve said there’s just so much we’ve learnt about COVID and that flexibility of people working from home, the productivity that can be driven out of that,” Ardern further explained.

During the live session, she then encouraged employers to pick this option “because it certainly would help tourism all around the country.”

Further explaining over her points, Ardern said domestic tourism makes up about 60 percent of the industry. 

Ever since the outbreak has taken place, Ardern’s government quickly shut borders and set restrictions in the country to stop the spread of the virus. They have also been praised for their effort and quick action. 

So far, there has been 1,503 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country and 21 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University.