DOLE studies hazard pay, night shift differential for delivery riders

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said Saturday it is studying policies for delivery riders, whose services are particularly vital during bad weather.

In an interview with Super Radyo dzBB, DOLE Secretary Francis Tolentino described delivery services as an emerging sector that still lacks clear labor policies.

“’Yung mga nagde-deliver kasi, kahit bumaha, umaraw, eh nagde-deliver nga kasi hindi naman makapunta sa kainan ‘yung ating mga kababayan, so na-order. So ito po, hindi pa maliwanag yung pamantayan natin dito, kaya subalit papunta na po tayo doon,” Tolentino said.

(Delivery riders continue to make deliveries whether it is flooding or sunny because our fellow Filipinos cannot go out to eat, so they place orders instead. Our standards for this sector are not yet clear, but we are moving toward establishing them.)

He noted that when the Labor Code was drafted in 1974, this type of work did not yet exist. The sector only experienced a boom during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the Philippines was placed under lockdowns.

According to Tolentino, DOLE is ready to push for policies for delivery riders that would not require amendments to existing laws.

“Tayo po sa Department of Labor e handang magsulong ng mga polisya na hindi pa kailangang amyendahan [ang batas] pero mas magandang amyendahan ‘yan,” Tolentino said.

(At the Department of Labor, we are ready to push for policies that do not yet require amendments to the law, although amending the law would be the better course.)

He recalled that in June, the Philippines joined members of the International Labor Organization (ILO) in supporting employment standards for gig workers, including delivery riders.

Tolentino said the provisions being reviewed include additional pay for late-night work, hazard pay, protective equipment such as rain boots, and assistance for vehicle breakdowns.

“Dagdag na bayad lalo sa gabi. ‘Yung hatinggabi na kalakasan ng ulan at tsaka siguro ’yung hazard pay nila. Pero sabi ko nga, wala pang maliwanag na usapin dito,” Tolentino said.

(Additional pay, especially for late-night work during heavy rains, as well as hazard pay. But as I said, there are no clear guidelines on these matters yet.)

“Yung iba, nakita ko, rubber shoes lang, eh dapat bota man lang 'pag susulong sa baha. Sino ang magpapagawa ng motorsiklo ‘pag nagkaroon ng deperensya? So lahat po ’yan,” he added.

(I have seen some riders wearing only rubber shoes, when they should at least have boots when wading through floods. And who will pay to have their motorcycles repaired if they break down? We are looking into all of these concerns.)

Tolentino made the remarks following a discussion on protections for employers affected by the severe weather experienced in recent weeks.

Earlier, DOLE reminded workers that those who suffer work-related injuries or accidents due to bad weather may be entitled to benefits and assistance under the Employees’ Compensation Program of the Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC). —Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/VBL, GMA News