TUCP rejects four-day workweek

Fearing a drastic reduction of their already meager income, organized labor yesterday rejected plans of adopting the four-day workweek for the private sector.

The moderate Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) said a larger segment of the working class would be adversely affected if employers adopt the compressed workweek.

The TUCP said the plan "would drastically affect daily paid workers, contractual and casual workers who are on no work, no pay status."

The TUCP issued the statement after the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) expressed willingness to adopt the proposed four-day workweek.

ECOP said a compressed workweek would be preferable for companies that are not required to grant overtime pay.

The TUCP, however, pointed out the plan would adversely affect non-regular workers, particularly those who get paid on a daily basis.

"The proposal to cut the workweek to four from five days would result (in) foregone earning opportunities since overtime work would be minimal," TUCP spokesman Alex Aguilar said.

Aguilar added that most collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) provide a minimum of 50 percent to as high as 100 percent overtime pay for work rendered beyond the regular eight hours.

He cited the possible ill effects of extended hours on workers, particularly those in commercial establishments.

Should the private sector adopt the compressed workweek, the TUCP said employers must be required to provide more breaks, sanitary and recreational facilities, along with other stress prevention programs for their workers.

Employers must also provide transportation to ferry their workers to the job site earlier and to bring them home safely at the later hours.

The militant labor group Buklurang Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP) and Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) also expressed strong opposition to the four-day workweek scheme.

They said the plan would only lead to less productivity.

"Proposed longer working hours would lead to more inefficient delivery of services," PM party-list Rep. Renato Magtubo said.

Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas, however, clarified the shortened workweek covers only government employees and not necessarily the private sector.

"The exclusion of the private sector from the President’s order does not preclude employers in the private sector from utilizing the same scheme in line with energy conservation," Sto. Tomas said.

Since last year, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has been encouraging the private sector to adopt the compressed workweek to allow workers more time with their families and for alternative livelihood.

Energy saving

The government favors the adoption of a four-day workweek, saying it might even save money for the national coffers.

Budget and energy officials said the government could save up to P144 million in two months if the scheme is implemented.

But not all in government favor a compressed workweek and longer working hours.

Civil Service Commission (CSC) Chairwoman Karina David warned against its adverse impact on government employees.

David said the 10-hour workday scheme, which would allow the fifth day to be off, may be too long and could pose risks to government workers.

On the other hand, the CSC’s public affairs division issued a statement claiming the agency had "no direct participation" in the drafting of the four-day workweek scheme.

They said the plans were devised by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Department of Energy (DOE).

Some from the Department of Education (DepEd) noted that those employees who directly conduct transactions with the public might be forced to report for work earlier than 7 a.m.

According to DepEd-National Employees Union president Domingo Alidon, some workers are not in favor of the plan.

If the government really wants to save money, Alidon said, the government should focus on intensifying the collection of taxes and arresting tax evaders.

Alidon also suggested government offices should cut down on unnecessary trips abroad.

He claimed that extended working hours could adversely affect the quality of service from frontline workers since they would have to work 10 hours a day.

One DepEd employee, though, said she is in favor of the four-day workweek because it would allow her to spend more time with her family.

Alidon said even if a worker adopted flexible time because of the distance from home to workplace, it would make it harder for him or her to report to work earlier.

He said a compressed workweek is ideal for workers who deal primarily with paperwork. He said these employees could finish their work even within a four-day workweek.

Alidon stressed President Arroyo should have consulted with government employees first before implementing the plan.

Even those in the local government have opposed the shortened workweek plan.

Metro Manila mayors spokesman and Pasay City Mayor Wenceslao "Pewee" Trinidad said five of the 17 local chief executives in the National Capital Region are opposed to the idea.

Trinidad claimed most of them are apprehensive of adopting a plan that still requires careful study.

"We as mayors are frontliners of the government (and) should be ready to serve on a 24/7 basis. The government should serve the people all the time," he said.

Among those who opposed the working scheme are Makati City’s Jejomar Binay, Taguig’s Freddie Tinga, Pasig’s Vicente Eusebio and Neptali Gonzalez II of Mandaluyong City.

Manila City Mayor Lito Atienza said the 17 Metro Manila mayors would oppose the working scheme at the local government level.

He said local government units should not be included in the plan since they deliver the essential services at a grassroots level.

"Di pwede ang four-day workweek sa LGU. We have to consider that the essential services to the people are now being delivered by the local governments such as engineering, health and social services," Atienza said.

For his part, Binay said the plan would be impractical at the local government level.

"Even if government offices are open until 7 p.m., most private offices close at 5 p.m. and asking private employees to stay past that time would mean paying overtime," Binay said.

ECOP president Rene Soriano said they are amenable to adopting the four-day workweek for the private sector but pointed out its implications to the Labor Code.

Soriano said the Labor Code is explicit in stating that overtime pay cannot be waived. He said this provision should be amended first.

Soriano urged Congress to introduce the necessary amendments to the Labor Code to make it more "attuned with the times and for the government to come out with clear guidelines."

Some lawmakers, on the other hand, said it is unnecessary to amend the Labor Code in order to adopt the compressed workweek.

Isabela Rep. Edwin Uy said amendment of the Labor Code will not be necessary since the four-day workweek is only a temporary energy-saving measure.

He said the overtime issue is not valid since the two-hour extended period from Monday to Thursday represents the eight working hours of Friday.

Uy said the four-day workweek was adopted by the House of Representatives several years ago and there has been no problem implementing it.

"The House is a good model for the four-day work scheme. The eight hours of work on Fridays have been offset in the four days of the week."

Longer weekends

For her part, Iloilo Rep. Judy Syjuco said the private sector should adopt the four-day workweek plan to save energy and resources and to provide workers with longer weekends to enjoy the summer.

Syjuco also said an amendment of the Labor Code is not needed because the work scheme is only temporary. "If it will be implemented on a long-term basis or becomes the mandated work plan in the country, then perhaps we may review the Labor Code," she said.

Syjuco said the shortened workweek will boost local tourism since workers will have more time for vacation with their families.

"Our public servants will have more free time which they can use in visiting our numerous tourist destinations especially this summer," she said.

Senate President Franklin Drilon said he is amenable to Malacañang’s proposal, because it would allow families to spend more time together and lower transportation costs.

"I think it will be beneficial to our workers in government… and beneficial to the economy in general," he said.

Sen. Richard Gordon agreed that the four-day workweek will afford workers more quality time to "bond together" with their families.

He said the long weekend will also allow workers to earn extra money.

He said that during the 1960s, the government and the private sector enjoyed a half-day work schedule during the summer months that enabled workers to spend more time with their families.

Sen. Ralph Recto said Malacañang should primarily consider energy conservation in adopting the compressed workweek.

Recto pointed out that only P3.2 billion was earmarked in the 2005 national budget to pay for energy consumption by government vehicles – a figure pegged at the prevailing world oil price of $32.72 per barrel.

With oil now at a record $50 per barrel, Recto said the budget will no longer be able to cover its expenses for the government vehicles.

"We budgeted our gas needs based on cheap oil," he said. – With Sandy Araneta, Katherine Adraneda, Marvin Sy, Edu Punay, Evelyn Macairan, Ben Serrano, Christina Mendez