Labor coalition pushes for 6-hour workday
A labor coalition on Tuesday urged the government to study the implementation of a six-hour workday under a compressed or four-day workweek, saying that longer work hours do not always result in increased productivity for workers.
In a statement, the Nagkaisa Labor Coalition said the government should “rethink” traditional work arrangements as it navigates the current geopolitical instability and economic strain arising from the Middle East conflict.
“Why insist on a 10-hour workday under a compressed or four-day workweek?” said Nagkaisa chair Sonny Matula. “Workers are already stretched by the ordinary eight-hour day. Beyond that, what often increases is not productivity but fatigue, stress, mistakes and less time for family and life.”
If the government seeks innovation in work schedules, it should “experiment with shorter work days and shorter workweeks and measure the results,” he added.
Some government offices have begun adopting a four-day onsite work arrangement, with other agencies implementing similar measures, in an effort to conserve energy and fuel consumption amid escalating global oil prices.
President Marcos announced a four-day workweek beginning March 9 for offices under the executive branch in a bid to reduce fuel consumption.
Courts, except for the Sandiganbayan and the Court of Tax Appeals, have also begun implementing a four-day onsite work schedule with one day of remote work.
Improved output
According to Matula, the implementation of shorter working hours in other countries, such as Iceland and Japan, show that a “more focused working time can maintain or even improve output.”
“Workers are often most productive within five to six hours of focused work. So, instead of compressing work into a 10-hour grind, why not seriously explore a six-hour work day? A worker who is less tired is more focused, more efficient and more productive,” he said.
Matula also noted how artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies have led to a rapid transformation of the workplace, allowing workers to be more productive. He said these developments should open discussions on whether AI and other new technologies “can justify a shorter, more humane workday.”
“Artificial intelligence and digital technologies are dramatically increasing productivity. The task now is to ensure that AI complements workers rather than displaces them,” he said.
