Starting next month, EDSA will undergo a major rehabilitation that’s expected to go on for at least two years. As it’s one of the major arteries of the Metro Manila road network, any disruption here will greatly affect trade and commerce.
With that, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has a suggestion to, at the very least, reduce the impact of the roadworks. It’s something we’ve also been seeing in the comments section.
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No, it’s not the four-day workweek, but it’s a viable option. The Philippine Star has reported that Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma is “urging companies to adopt work-from-home and other flexible work schemes to give their employees options to avoid the expected traffic gridlock that will be caused by the road upgrade.”
“Palagi naming sinisikap na magkaroon ng katanggap-tanggap na arrangement ang manggagawa at namumuhunan, nang sa ganun, wala naman disruption sa kanilang operation at tiyakin ang ating manggagawa ay hindi mapinsala sa gagawing rebuilding or rehabilitation ng EDSA,” said Laguesma.
But aside from that, DOLE has also brought up the idea of flexible working hours. The agency noted that these alternative work schemes can be beneficial to employees and employers, citing their advantages during the pandemic.
That said, the DOLE can only do so much as it cannot force alternative working schemes on companies. As mentioned in The Philippine Star, Laguesma said that it has to be voluntary from the company’s end.
With the countdown to the EDSA rehabilitation ticking, companies will have to make a decision as soon as possible. But at the end of the day, it will all depend on employers if they will heed the DOLE’s suggestion.
