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Wednesday, February 09, 2005
City Council okays 4-day work schedule
By Aurea A. Gerundio
* City Hall employees shall report for work from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. for four days per week
* Councilor Emmanuel D. Galicia Sr. says ordinance not favorable to employees who live far from workplace and female employees who still have young kids to attend to
THE City Council of Davao on Tuesday approved the ordinance adopting a four-day workweek and extended working hours for City Government employees.
In a 19-7 vote in favor for the ordinance, which was proposed by Councilor Diosdado A. Mahipus Sr., employees shall report for work from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. for four days per week.
Under this new working schedule, employees can choose from either Monday or Friday as their additional day off aside from Saturday and Sunday.
The number of employees reporting for work on either Monday or Friday, however, shall not be less than 50 percent of the total workforce.
Councilor Peter T. Laviña, who handled the committee hearings of the proposed ordinance as chair of the committee on labor and employment, said the proposed ordinance aims to lessen the daily expenses of employees without disrupting public service but instead improve the work efficiency in the government.
Laviña said giving additional day off to employees would allow them to engage in other livelihood activities that would help them augment their income.
Councilor Emmanuel D. Galicia Sr., however, said the ordinance is not favorable to employees who live far from workplace and female employees who still have young kids to attend to.
"Those female employees who have younger children have to attend to their kids before going to office. If the new working hour starts at 7 a.m., then how can they be able to even send their kids to school when they are hurrying up for work. I suggest that we maintain the present schedule that is from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.," Galicia said.
Laviña said female employees, who have kids age 12 years old and below, may apply for exemption.
"In fact, those employees doing field work, job contract employees, consultants and confidential employees are also excluded in the ordinance," Laviña said, adding that the approved ordinance will be submitted to the executive department for Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte's approval.
Aside from Galicia, Councilors Nilo G. Abellera, Leonardo R. Avila III, Ricardo B. Cabling, Jimmy G. Dureza, Jesus A. Zozobrado Jr. and Angela Librado-Trinidad also voted "no" to the proposed four day work in a week.
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here.
(February 9, 2005 issue)
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