Operators call memo "unfair"

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu bus operators opposed the possible implementation of the minimum wage and other wage-related benefits for bus drivers in Cebu during a public consultation yesterday.

During the public hearing organized by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) yesterday at the Cebu Business Hotel, bus operators said the implementation of the minimum wages for bus drivers would be unfair for Cebu operators because the rates they are currently implementing is the same one that they have been using since 2008. 

Richard Corominas, president of the Cebu Provincial Bus Operators’ Association (CPBOA) said that some operators in other regions have increased twice their fares but in Cebu, it has remained the same.

Other bus operators have also opposed the memorandum circular, which they tagged as “unfair.”

To recall, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board’s memorandum generated mixed reactions as it requires bus operators to give higher minimum wages for their drivers aside from night-shift differentials, service incentive leave, Social Security System premiums, 13th month pay and other benefits as provided for regular employees under the Labor Code of the Philippines.

This order does not include tourist buses, mini buses, V-hires, public utility jeepneys, coaches or coasters, school buses and other similar vehicles.

Corominas questioned why the tourist buses are not included in the memorandum. He stated that if the memorandum is aimed to ensure road transport safety, tourist buses should be included as well. He pointed out that in the previous years tourist buses also encountered road accidents, often involving foreign nationals.

If implemented, the memorandum will be effective by July 2012. The Department Order has already been implemented in the National Capital Region (NCR) last February 2012.

DOLE is now in the process of disseminating information to other regions in the country regarding its provisions and implementations.

Aside from road safety, the memorandum was also made to “improve the terms and conditions of employment of drivers and conductors and to develop competencies of drivers.”

According to the department order, if it would be implemented, then like other employees working for companies following the labor code, bus drivers would also enjoy the benefits of occupational safety and health including protection against Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B and control of drug abuse, anti-smoking, anti-sexual harassment and risk reduction. The drivers would also be members of the Social Security System (SSS), Pag-ibig Fund, and PhilHealth.

The department order also requires drivers to be assessed and certified by the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) to ensure that they are competent enough for the job.

But the operators said that unlike regular employees, the income of drivers are not the same everyday, and that the minimum wage salary they would need to pay the drivers in compliance with the department order, would not apply at all times.

DOLE-7 Regional Director Ma. Gloria Tango said they will take note of all the operators and drivers’ concerns and added that it will be made part of their documentation to send to their central office. (FREEMAN)