DOLE wants all employers to implement cashless payroll systems

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is urging employers to shift to a cashless payment of wages and other benefits, but the private sector says this may not be applicable for all.

According to Labor Assistant Secretary Dominique Rubia-Tutay, all employers are encouraged to shift to a cashless basis in line with safety protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

"Ang mga employers po gaano man po tayo kaliit o kalaki ay bigyan po natin ng tuon 'yung payroll system natin using the digital technology, using digital wallets or e-payments," she said in a report on GMA's "24 Oras Weekend" on Sunday.

This was supported by the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), but noted that such a scheme is not suitable for all workers.

"Marami tayong daily workers na isang kahig, isang tuka na cannot maintain balance in the bank. Basta bigyan mo ng sampung piso, igagasta 'yung sampung piso," said ECOP president Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr.

"Not everybody is using smartphones. Marami sa mga telepono ng mga empleyado just for texting, hindi naman mga smartphone. Bibilhan mo pa ng smartphone," he added.

Data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) revealed that majority or 71% of Filipino adults still did not have any financial accounts in 2019. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/BM, GMA News