Labor department to study four-day work week bill

May 18, 2017

A senior labor department official said Thursday they want to find out of the proposed law on a four-day work week would not hurt workers. "We want to study and evaluate its possible implications, especially to workers," said Labor Undersecretary Joel Maglunsod. The department wants to examine the work load have under such a set-up. Maglungsod said they want to make sure wages will not be reduced. "Salaries and benefits of workers may be reduced because of fewer days of work... so we also need to guarantee that," said Maglunsod. The House labor and employment committee approved a bill seeking to institutionalize an “optional” four-day work week. Companies may increase the normal eight-hour workday to a 10 or 12-hour workday to lessen the number of days at work. “This proposed measure seeks to institutionalize the compressed work week scheme as it proves to promote competitiveness, efficiency, and productivity in business and industries,” said Baguio City Rep. Mark Go, who filed the bill. “This won’t penalize companies who will not implement a four-day work week since this is only optional,” he said. The labor department issued advisory No. 4-2010, which provides a flexible work arrangement is allowed through a voluntary agreement between employers and employees.  DMS