Fixed Pay, Working Hours for Bus Drivers, Conductors Sought

A measure has been filed in the Senate seeking fixed salaries and working hours for public utility bus drivers and conductors to help shield them from the brunt of rising fuel prices.

In filing Senate Bill 48, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada sought to regulate the compensation of public utility drivers and conductors that will allow them to earn more while working for fewer hours.

According to Estrada, a driver that earns P900 a day and works more than 12 hours a day for three days a week will receive almost the same income as those who work eight hours a day for six days.

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"Under this proposed legislation, drivers will get enough rest while operators will spend almost the same amount for salaries," Estrada said.

“With the assurance of fixed salaries on a regular basis, public utility bus drivers and conductors will no longer be pressured or be forced to work beyond humane working hours. Serious accidents and traffic problems involving those buses will also be significantly lessened," he added.

Under the measure, public utility bus operators are prohibited to make their drivers work for more than eight hours straight, and there should be a two-shift system and at least one-hour rest per working day.

Their monthly salaries should also not be less than the minimum wage fixed by law and should be paid in cash at least once every two weeks, it added.

To provide more benefits to public utility bus drivers and conductors, Estrada also proposed that they be covered in the Social Security System, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG and the Employees Compensation Commission. Livelihood and credit assistance will also be available to help them earn more income.

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