House panel OKs 4-day work week

The House Committee on Labor and Employment has approved House Bill 5068 seeking a compressed four-day work week in the government and private sector.

The panel, chaired by Cagayan Rep. Randolph Ting, passed on Monday HB 5068 filed by Baguio City Rep. Mark O. Go that seeks to amend Articles 83, 87, and 91 of Presidential Decree 442, otherwise known as the Labor Code of the Philippines.

Under the compressed work week, the normal work week is reduced to less than six days, but the total number of normal work hours per week shall remain at 48 hours, Go said.

“This bill allows the employers to go into compressed work week, if they decide to go for a four-day work week, it is their option,” Go said, noting that that several companies want a compressed work week and shorter work week.

“This concept can be adjusted accordingly in case where the normal work week of the company is five days,” he said.

HB 5068 provides that the normal hours of work of any employee shall not exceed eight hours a day, except in cases where the enterprise adopts a compressed work week but shall not exceed 48 hours a week.

“Employees shall be permitted to complete their working hours on a compressed work week scheme, whereby the normal work week is reduced to less than six days but the total number of normal work hours per week shall remain at 48 hours,” according to the bill.

Go explained that at present, employers who want a compressed work week are required to get approval from the Department of Labor and Employment first.