Solon urges offices: Enforce 4-day workweek in December

MANILA, Philippines — House Minority Leader Benny Abante Jr. on Wednesday urged private firms to implement a four-day workweek scheme this December to help ease traffic flow during the holiday season.

“I believe they should consider implementing a four-day workweek in the last month of the year just to help ease traffic congestion,” Abante said in a press conference at the House of Representatives.

Aside from this, he suggested that private firms “maximize” the Republic Act 11165 or the Telecommuting Act, which allows employees to work in the comfort of their homes.

“If the work of your industry is output-oriented, then, by all means, consider having your employees work from home, especially if they have access to the internet and can communicate and send their work without any hurdles,” the Manila city lawmaker said.

Malacañang should also study the implementation of a four-day workweek for non-frontline offices of national government agencies, he said.

Government agencies located along Edsa like the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in Caloocan City and Philippine Overseas Employment and Administration (POEA) should consider implementing the four-day workweek scheme, Abante added.

The House leader cited Microsoft as an example of private firms that implemented a four-day workweek scheme, pointing out that it led to a 40-percent boost in productivity.

“There is no harm in trying because, at this point, we should explore all possibilities to help address our traffic woes,” Abante said.

Edited by KGA