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House passes 4-day workweek scheme
On its third and final reading, a bill that seeks to authorize employees to have a four-day workweek was approved by the House of Representatives.
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On its third and final reading, a bill that seeks to authorize employees to have a four-day workweek was approved by the House of Representatives.
In a statement on Saturday, the House’s public relations and information divisions said that under House Bill 6152, employers may reduce the number of workdays by increasing the normal daily work hours. This means that employees will work only for four days a week, but they must work from the usual eight-hour workday up to 12 hours a day. Once an employee renders more than 48 hours of work a week, he or she will receive overtime pay.
Instead of following the usual five-day workweek, this bill allows companies to be flexible on their work schedules.
“These arrangements give employers and employees flexibility in fixing hours of work compatible with business requirements and the employee’s need for a balanced work-life,” said Baguio City Rep. Mark Go, one of the authors of the bill.
The bill, which institutionalizes a “compressed” work week policy, aims to promote business competitiveness, work efficiency, and labor productivity.
The Department of Labor and Employment will promote necessary implementing rules and regulations (IRRs) within 90 days for its implementation.
However, this compressed workweek measure remains optional for employers.
“This won’t penalize companies who will not implement a four-day workweek since this is only optional,” Go stressed.
“This concept can be adjusted accordingly in case where the normal workweek of the company is five days,” he added.
