Bus operators buck pay plan for drivers

SOME bus operators and drivers are questioning the move of the Department of Labor and Employment to revamp the compensation system for bus drivers in an effort to boost public transport safety.

Lawyer Grace Adducul, spokesperson for the Metrobus Transport Club, said in a TV interview over the weekend that the present compensation system should not be blamed for the incidence of road accidents involving passenger buses.

“We don’t believe drivers’ pay [is the cause of the problem]. Neither is it [the solution to the problem],” Adducul said.

On Friday, DoLE and bus transport groups agreed on the implementation of a system that would provide higher salaries, more rest days, and performance-based perks for bus drivers.

The system would include changing the compensation system from a commission-based or “boundary” system to fixed pay with common labor benefits such as compensation for overtime, holiday work, and leaves of absences.

Bus operators would also be required to pay for all social security benefits such as contributions to the Social Security System, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG.

Reactions were mixed among bus drivers. Most were reportedly in favor of the revamp in the compensation system but a number—those earned more than the minimum wage level from commissions on trips made—were against it.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said last week that bus operators would be required to adopt a part fixed and part performance-based compensation system for drivers and conductors.

Tired, overworked, and underpaid bus drivers were supposedly part of a perceived growing problem of bus-related road accidents, particularly in Metro Manila.

In September this year, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board published a list of “most dangerous bus lines” operating in the metro based on the number of accidents that led to deaths and injuries, as well as damages to property.

With the publication of the list came a threat for the agency to cancel the franchises of erring bus companies.

The Integrated Metro Bus Operators Association assailed the list and said they were being unfairly criticized. –Bus operators buck pay plan for drivers

SOME bus operators and drivers are questioning the move of the Department of Labor and Employment to revamp the compensation system for bus drivers in an effort to boost public transport safety.

Lawyer Grace Adducul, spokesperson for the Metrobus Transport Club, said in a TV interview over the weekend that the present compensation system should not be blamed for the incidence of road accidents involving passenger buses.

“We don’t believe drivers’ pay [is the cause of the problem]. Neither is it [the solution to the problem],” Adducul said.

On Friday, DoLE and bus transport groups agreed on the implementation of a system that would provide higher salaries, more rest days, and performance-based perks for bus drivers.

The system would include changing the compensation system from a commission-based or “boundary” system to fixed pay with common labor benefits such as compensation for overtime, holiday work, and leaves of absences.

Bus operators would also be required to pay for all social security benefits such as contributions to the Social Security System, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG.

Reactions were mixed among bus drivers. Most were reportedly in favor of the revamp in the compensation system but a number—those earned more than the minimum wage level from commissions on trips made—were against it.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said last week that bus operators would be required to adopt a part fixed and part performance-based compensation system for drivers and conductors.

Tired, overworked, and underpaid bus drivers were supposedly part of a perceived growing problem of bus-related road accidents, particularly in Metro Manila.

In September this year, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board published a list of “most dangerous bus lines” operating in the metro based on the number of accidents that led to deaths and injuries, as well as damages to property.

With the publication of the list came a threat for the agency to cancel the franchises of erring bus companies.

The Integrated Metro Bus Operators Association assailed the list and said they were being unfairly criticized. –Manila Standard Today