Public bodies and the private sector are expected to follow the government's five-day work week, said the president of the Open University, which started using the schedule more than a decade ago.
'I foresee universities and NGOs will follow the government to move toward the five-day week, and the next wave is the private sector,' said John Leong Chi-yen.
He said a five-day work week would not increase operating costs, and most developed countries had already adopted the practice.
The Open University started a five-day working week 12 years ago, as it found it was pointless to operate on Saturdays, when students were engaged in online learning.
Professor Leong said: 'I think the full effect will be reflected after six months of implementation.'
Chan Ka-keung, dean of the business and management school at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, who also sits on some government advisory bodies, supported the administration's move to switch to a five-day week from July 1.
