Metrologic (Suzhou) Technology Co Ltd, a developer and manufacturer of barcode scanners and printers in SIP, received on Feb 14 the approval from SIP Labor and Social Security Bureau for adoption of the Comprehensive Working Hour Calculation System (CWHC System). It is the first approval the bureau issued after it announced on Feb 12 to expand the coverage of the CWHC System in support of all the SIP-based businesses affected by COVID-19, a contagious and lethal pneumonia that has hit many areas across the country.

The CWHC System allows an employee’s working hours to be calculated periodically (e.g. per week, month, quarter or year) although the average working hours shall be generally the same as the country’s Standard Working Hour System. This means enterprises can employ flexible work schedules for their employees. 

However, commonly, the system only applies to employees in special industries with work schedules that are restricted by seasons, resources, environment and natural conditions, industries where a partial disruption in operations would affect social and public interests, and other designated fields. Now, SIP has lifted the threshold so that local enterprises can make flexible work arrangement for better epidemic prevention.

It is learnt that applicants can apply online or at designated offices with several simple steps, and get the approval immediately after they are verified to be eligible.