Senator Risa Hontiveros hit on ride-hailing company Grab Philippines over what she calls the "unjustified fare matrix" it has been implementing.
“Kaisa ako ng mga Grab riders at lahat ng riders sa iba’t ibang platforms sa laban nila para sa mas makatarungang fare matrix. These platform companies that engage in abusive practices have a lot of explaining to do," she said in a video statement released Thursday, Oct. 26.
According to Hontiveros, Grab released a new fare matrix wherein the minimum base fare declined from ₱45 to ₱35 while the fee per kilometer lowered from ₱10 to ₱7.
“If the goal of this new fare matrix is to ease the burden on Grab’s customers, it should not come at the expense of the platform’s riders. Paano naging “fair and sustainable” ito, lalo na sa hirap ng buhay ngayon? Ito na ba talaga ang “most competitive earning potential” para sa mga riders?” she underscored.
The Senator added that it is not right to reduce riders' profit amidst the skyrocketing prices of goods and services in the country.
Hontiveros also hit on Grab for allegedly suspending drivers who had protested against the newly released fare matrix.
“If these are true, we must remind all ride-hailing platforms that their riders have a right to organize and air grievances. This new dispute highlights the need to patch the gaps in our laws and policies so we can protect the rights of riders and all Filipinos in the gig economy," she said.
The lawmaker stated that she would continue to push through for the passing of Senate Bill No. 1373 or the Protektadong Online Workers, Entrepreneurs, Riders and Raketera (POWERR) bill — a measure that aims to provide concrete benefits and protection for gig economy workers.
According to Hontiveros, dispensing salary is not the only way to improve the labor force.
"We should also ensure job security and stability, especially for the underrepresented informal sector. As one of the leading platforms in the country, Grab should uphold the principle of equal pay for equal work if they are to truly consider their overall business model a success," she furthered.
As of this posting, Grab Philippines has yet to release a statement regarding the matter.
