by Alexandria Dennise San Juan, Manila Bulletin, 27 Oct 2020
The Department of Labor and Employments (DOLE) has teamed up with ride-hailing company Grab Philippines through its Free Bisiklete (FreeBis) initiative to provide livelihood opportunities to displaced Filipino workers as delivery partners within the firm’s platforms.
FreeBis is a special initiative of the DOLE’s Integrated Livelihood Program launched in Metro Manila and various parts of Luzon in partnership with local government units and the private sector such as Grab.
According to Grab, the project aims to aid workers, including overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the COVID-19 pandemic by providing them with job opportunities within the food and parcel delivery service industries.
To help equip these workers as delivery-partners on the Grab platform, DOLE will provide FreeBis beneficiaries in the capital region with bicycle units, helmets, raincoats, water bottles, thermal bags, and Android mobile phones with a P5,000 load in electronic payment application.
Grab will be screening and onboarding qualified FreeBis recipients and will be providing them with essential safety and service training to be effective and successful delivery-partners on the Grab platform.
“Working together and helping each other to overcome the crisis is a hallmark of what it means to be Filipino. Our partnership with DOLE is a shining beacon of how technology platforms and the government can jointly help improve the livelihoods of many Filipino,” Grab Philippines Country Head Grace Vera Cruz said.
Aside from livelihood opportunities and skills training for the qualified FreeBis beneficiaries, Grab said it will also enjoy the same benefits and flexibility as independent contractors on its platform.
“Grab remains committed to the Filipino people and we will continue to do our best to help our communities safely and sustainably recover from the impacts of the pandemic,” she added.
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