Venezuela looks to establish 6-hour workday

CARACAS: The government of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is planning to establish a 6-hour workday.

Labor Minister Roberto Hernandez says he will propose a bill this year to reduce the workday, improve employee benefits and establish ``more forceful'' penalties for businesses that violate labor laws. He spoke Wednesday.

The president's allies hold a majority within the National Assembly and most bills proposed by Chavez's administration are approved.

Chavez presented the same proposal as part of a constitutional reform package that voters rejected last December.

Before the vote, some business owners warned that reducing the workday would force them to cut jobs or close down.