Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma on Wednesday, Dec. 27, confirmed that there was a discussion on employing jeepney drivers for them to receive fixed monthly salaries and be eligible of benefits, but noted this was just an "idea" they are looking into.
In an interview during DZRH Damdaming Bayan, Laguesma said jeepney drivers might not be keen on the proposed regular employment status due to issues of boundary.
"Napag-uusapan lang kasi laging nagiging issue yung may kinalaman sa boundary. Alam naman natin na marami sa drivers ang mas ninais ang boundary kasi mas malaki ang kita. Kapag ginawang regular, baka papasok sila sa regulasyon na halimbawa ay minimum wage lamang," he said.
"Pero alam natin na meron silang ibang kasanayan. Kumbaga, ideas lang 'yan [regular employment status] na tinitingnan," the Labor Secretary added.
Bienvenido Laguesma, Secretary, DOLE, sa planong gawing regular employees ang jeepney drivers: Napag-uusapan lang kasi laging nagiging issue yung may kinalaman sa boundary.#DamdamingBayan#SamaSamaTayoPilipino
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) December 27, 2023
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Laguesma also said jeepney drivers might not agree with the proposed employment as most of them prefer flexible time.
"Hindi nila gusto na nasasaklawan sila ng masyadong striktong regulasyon sa pagtatrabaho," he added.
The Labor Secretary noted that a legislative measure is needed to push the proposal, in which the work arrangement would be outlined to prevent a rift between employers and drivers.
He shared that there was a measure that proposed a fixed monthly salary and comission for employed bus drivers.
"Ang mga nasa transport, mga bus, matagal nang panukala na magkaroon ng fixed [salary] at commission. Ibig sabihin, matiyak na may sweldo kada araw, at kung lalampas, medyo may kaunting komplikasyon. At alam natin na regularity does not mean na dapat araw-araw may trabaho, kundi dapat may regularity ng mga benepisyo. 'Yan siguro ay options na tinitingnan para ma-address ang usapin na may kinalaman sa pagmamalasakit sa trabaho," Laguesma said.
In 2022, Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada filed Senate Bill No. 48 that proposes the regularization of the compensation of public utility bus drivers and conductors.
