MANILA (UCAN): “We propose a four-day work week depending on the nature of the work to save costs in terms of fares, food and other basic expenses. This arrangement could only be temporary depending on the price of fuel,” the Labour secretary of the Philippines, Silvestre Bello III, told reporters on March 15.
The proposal came as diesel and gasoline prices had surged to 78 pesos [$11.60] per liter by March 15, up from 50 pesos [$7.48] a month ago, mostly brought about by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The Labour Department said the move would help ordinary workers save on transport costs which it is feared could increase by more than 50 per cent.
“Until it is signed by the president as an executive order or passed by Congress, this proposal is but a mere suggestion or recommendation to employers and employees,” Bello said.
Jeepney and tricycle drivers had earlier threatened to strike if the government did not address rising fuel prices by increasing fares.
A few months ago, many boats would go to catch fish …but since the war in Ukraine started, fewer motorboats are going out
Father Edgar De Guzman
“Our fares are still the same. Our vehicles run on diesel, which has become very expensive. We cannot survive without a fare hike,” Manila jeepney driver Ronie dela Cruz said.
The National Economic and Development Authority [NEDA] and the Department of Energy backed the Labour Department’s four-day workweek proposal.
“Let us try to conserve energy and one of the ways is through a four-day workweek. Every Filipino will still have to work 40 hours a week but instead of five days, it will be four,” NEDA chief Karl Chua told The Inquirer newspaper.
Meanwhile, the country’s president, Rodrigo Duterte, approved a 500 million peso [$74.75 million] fuel subsidy programme for farmers and fishermen.
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“Each farmer and fisherman will receive around 3,000 pesos [$448] as a subsidy to aid in their work. I hope we could give more but that is all we can afford for now,” Duterte said on March 15.
Father Edgar De Guzman of the Diocese of Virac, in Catanduanes, said fishermen in the Bicol region, south of Manila, were feeling the effects of surging fuel prices.
“A few months ago, many boats would go to catch fish—some even twice a day—but since the war in Ukraine started, fewer motorboats are going out,” he said.
