The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) is urging the government to adopt a “balanced and evidence-based” approach to the proposed nationwide four-day work week, warning that blanket implementation could cripple output in the country’s industrial heartland.

In a statement on Thursday, March 5, Perry Ferrer, PCCI president, expressed reservations about the measure, noting that while the intentions behind the shorter work week are noble, the practical application remains fraught with operational risks.

The proposal, currently under deliberation by policymakers, aims to curb energy consumption, lower overhead costs for businesses, and improve the work-life balance of the Filipino labor force. However, Ferrer argued that a one-size-fits-all mandate ignores the nuanced requirements of a diversifying economy.

The manufacturing sector, a critical driver of the Philippines’ gross domestic product (GDP), stands as the primary concern for the business group.

Ferrer explained that factories often operate on thin margins and tight production schedules that rely on continuous, multi-shift cycles.

Reducing the standard workweek could lead to missed deadlines and breaches of international delivery commitments, potentially driving investors toward regional competitors with more flexible labor laws.

The PCCI chief noted that many manufacturers are already grappling with limited resources and high power costs, and a reduction in operational days might exacerbate these systemic inefficiencies.

“We are not against the implementation of flexible work arrangements,” Ferrer said, adding that the chamber recognizes the evolving nature of the modern workplace.

“But there should be proper consultation with various stakeholders and supported with data to ensure that industries with specific operational requirements will not be adversely affected,” he added.

The business chamber is calling for a sector-sensitive framework that allows for exemptions or voluntary adoption rather than a rigid legislative requirement.

Under such a model, service-oriented firms or office-based roles—which may benefit from reduced utility costs and higher employee morale—could pivot to the four-day schedule, while the industrial and logistics sectors maintain their necessary 24/7 or six-day cycles.

Ferrer said that the PCCI remains committed to collaborating with labor groups and policymakers to refine the proposal. The goal, he said, is to ensure the policy fosters economic resilience rather than acting as a drag on productivity.

As the government weighs the fiscal and social impacts of the shift, the chamber is pushing for a deeper analytical dive into how the change would affect the country’s overall competitiveness in Southeast Asia.