DOLE reminds operators to pay wages to bus drivers

THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Wednesday reminded bus operators that starting this month, bus drivers and conductors plying the Metro Manila route will receive minimum wage and other statutory wage-related benefits under a fixed pay scheme, replacing the old commission-based pay practice.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said that DOLE Department Order (D.O.) No. 118-12, Series of 2012, which establishes the rules and regulations governing the employment and working conditions of drivers and conductors in the public utility bus transport industry, is now in effect.

“D. O. 118- 12 will improve the working conditions in the bus transport sector through the implementation of labor standards including monetary and social benefits and workplace safety and health measures which will ensure the health and fitness of drivers and conductors,” Baldoz said.

The Labor chief elaborated that public utility drivers and conductors will be entitled to minimum wage rates which will be paid at least once every two weeks or twice a month, at intervals not exceeding 16 days.

The workers in the said industry will also be entitled to wage-related benefits, holiday pay, overtime pay, night shift differential, service incen- tive leave, 13th month pay, paternity and maternity leave, and other statutory monetary benefits under the labor code and other labor-related laws.

D.O. 118-12, which was published on January 17, 2012, also outlines the social welfare benefits, including Philhealth, Social Security System ( SSS), and Pag- Ibig; wage- related benefits; and training and development for workers in the said sector.

The Order will initially cover the public utility bus transport plying in Metro Manila. It will apply to other public utility bus companies by July 2012.

Baldoz pointed out that bus drivers and conductors will now be un- der the “part-fixed and part performance-based” wage/compensation system to ensure income security which will also reduce the risk-taking behavior of drivers with a purely commission-based system.

Under D. O. 118- 12, the fixed wage component will be based on an amount mutually agreed by the owner and the drivers/conductors, which is not lower than the applicable minimum wage for normal work hours and days.

The performance-based component will be based on safety performance, business performance, and other related parameters.