Church offices included in 4-day work week bill—CBCP

An official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Public Affairs Committee (CBCP-PAC) said that parishes in the country are covered by the four-day work week bill once it is enacted into law.
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MANILA—An official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Public Affairs Committee (CBCP-PAC) said that parishes in the country are covered by the four-day work week bill once it is enacted into law.

Fr. Jerome Secillano, CBCP-PAC Executive Secretary noted that since churches all over the country are also maintaining offices, they are also covered by the measure.

“If approved into law, even parishes will have to comply with it. We do not want to risk being violators of law. We will surely act in accordance with it,” he said.

“Maybe there will just be an internal arrangement between the staff and parish administrators,” Secillano added.

Baguio Representative Mark Go has filed House Bill (HB) Number 5068 which seeks to amend the 6 days work a week as provided under the Labor Code.

His proposal will only allow workers to report to work for four to five days a week.

The Catholic priest said there should be an agreement as to the work schedule of employees in the parish office.

“There has to be an understanding with regards to the peculiar work schedule of parish staff. Saturdays and Sundays are busy days for churches,” he added.

On Monday, the House committee on labor has approved the measure that will allow companies to implement a compressed work week scheme.