MAP bucks gov’t bid for 4-day work week

A business group expressed concerns yesterday on the implementation of the proposed four-day workweek for all government offices saying this will unnecessarily result in higher costs of doing business due to expected delays in approval of permits, licenses, passports, among others.

The Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) said the benefits of the proposal must outweigh the possible costs and effect, whether short or long-term, on business and on the employees.

“Creating a four-day workweek, whether temporary or permanent, would disrupt the delivery of government services and may weaken what inroads or advances we may already have accomplished,” the group stated.

It added the proposal will impair the delivery of critical services pertaining to health care, security, peace and order, among others.

“At a time when the Philippines is working to raise its competitiveness position, this may unwittingly result in inefficiencies in providing basic services,” MAP said in a statement.

MAP said it will also have an adverse impact on ethics and values formation because it promotes indolence, instead of industriousness.

MAP said the probable impact on costs to government of less electricity used in a four-day workweek would be: A very small percent of the budget, and it will be far outweighed by the much higher costs incurred through the inefficiencies introduced into government services.

The rise in fuel costs is a reality even for other countries, given its sensitivity to global circumstances, MAP said.

“We must live with and adapt to prevailing conditions with proactive measures with the end in mind of keeping ourselves competitive inspite of our circumstances. For example, employers can help their employees save on transportation costs by promoting share a ride or car pooling and flexi-time,” it added.

The government should also review and revise regulatory agencies’ actions that allow excessive charges by companies providing basic services to the public, it said.

It added the government should also review all government agencies’ charges for doing business and see how to reduce the private sector’s costs of doing business.

Employers and employees, whether in the public or private sector, should be working hard to increase the country’s competitive standing, using solutions for a better future, it added.-Ayen Infante, Daily Tribune