Belgium could soon shift to a four-day working week, with a possible announcement as soon as this weekend, a government spokesperson has confirmed to Euronews Next.

On Thursday, a spokesperson for Belgian economy and labour minister Pierre-Yves Dermagne told Euronews Next that the proposals were “currently being discussed within the Belgian federal government” as part of a broader programme of labour market reforms.

“More clarity should be provided on Sunday or Monday regarding the proposal”, - they said.

Dermagne considers the four-day working week a “fundamental matter” after the COVID-19 pandemic sparked major shifts in many people"s working situations, the spokesperson said.

People would still work the same number of hours per week under the proposals being discussed, they said.