Dole, labor group oppose bill on 35-hour work week

MANILA, Philippines — Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III and a labor group opposed a proposed legislation allowing a 35-hour workweek scheme in the private sector.

Bello said that reducing work hours would only result in a reduction in workers’ wages.

The Kilusang Mayo Uno also opposed the bill being deliberated in the House of Representatives for compressing the international standard work week of five days and 40 hours into four days and 35 hours.

The labor group said doing so would violate international labor conventions.

—Dona Z. Pazzibugan