Authorities on Friday began its crackdown on city bus firms violating the Labor Code in Metro Manila, officials said.
Chairman Francis Tolentino of the Metro Manila Development Authority spearheaded the inspection of bus terminals in Fairview, Quezon City to determine any unfair labor practice going on.
Benjo Benavides, assistant director of the Department of Labor and Employment-National Capitol Region, and representatives of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board joined the MMDA in its intensified drive.
Tolentino cited the poor sanitation within the bus terminal of Rainbow Express located on Pearl Street, East Fairview, questioning the management about the presence of many Celynne Transport taxi units inside the premises.
“The bus firm has a lot of explaining to do before the LTFRB,” he told reporters.
Tolentino and Benavides noted the lack of benefit package, such as the Social Security System, Philhealth and Pag-IBIG, for bus drivers and their conductors.
“What would happen to such workers once they retire or get sick if there are no social benefits put in place for them?” Benavides asked.
He said while auto mechanics and office workers have permanent status, drivers and conductors are non-regular employees receiving commission-based wages.
“A commission wage is not unlawful,” he clarified, saying “such scheme is just a wage mode, and not a factor why operator must not include drivers and conductors under the employment regularization transport sector, particularly the drivers and conductors,” Benavides said. –Rio N. Araja, Manila Standard Today
