DOLE announces hotlines for new bus driver wage scheme

As it prepares to implement a new wage scheme for bus drivers starting July 1, the Department of Labor and Employment announced hotlines where questions – or possibly complaints – may be entertained. DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the public may use these numbers to inquire about the implementation of Department Order 118-12 and its operating guidelines. In a news release, the DOLE said the numbers are:

The DOLE said at least 35 bus companies in Metro Manila are complying early with the new regular wage scheme for bus drivers. Baldoz said eight firms in Metro Manila are already implementing the scheme, and 27 more companies are to submit soon the requirements for a Labor Standards Compliance Certificate (LSCC). "I have been informed by the NWPC that in addition to the eight bus companies, 27 more bus companies with existing collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) are also expected to submit the requirements for the LSCC, bringing the number of D.O. 118-12-compliant bus companies to 35," Baldoz said. The DOLE also urged bus companies to avail of technical assistance on the new wage scheme through the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC). Baldoz said the LSCC to be issued by the DOLE to PUBs is a requirement of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for franchise renewal. "The LSCC shall indicate compliance by the PUB operators with all relevant legislation, rules, and regulations on wages, labor standards, terms and conditions of employment, social security benefits, and occupational safety and health standards," she said. Beating deadline NWPC Executive Director Ciriaco Lagunzad Jr. said the 35 bus companies could beat the LTFRB's July 30 deadline for the submission of a DOLE-issued LSCC before they can renew their bus franchises. Lagunzad identified the eight bus companies now in the process of completing the requirements for the issuance of a labor standards compliance certificate are: "As to the 27 bus companies, which the Bureau of Labor Relations said have existing CBAs, they are also expected to submit the requirements for the LSCC before the LTFRB deadline. Actually, they may already request for the conduct of inspection in their respective companies," Lagunzad said. First week of July By the first week of July, Lagunzad said the DOLE-NCR will conduct an inspection of all the 158 bus companies plying Metro Manila routes to check their compliance with DO 118-12 and for the issuance of a certificate of labor standards compliance as required by LTFRB's MC 2012-001. "We expect compliance before the end of July," he said. He also assured Baldoz buses plying provincial routes may be fully compliant by end of September, saying the NWPC and the DOLE regional offices are ready to respond to bus companies' requests for technical assistance. He said the OSHC is already scheduled to conduct a free Basic Occupational Safety and Health Training for all the bus companies in Metro Manila from July 9 to 13. Baldoz instructed the NWPC and the DOLE regional offices to extend priority assistance to PUBs that had committed to immediately comply with DO 118-12. She also ordered them to fast-track issuance of a compliance certificate to them, so that they will also serve as model to other PUB companies. She also reminded the region-based tripartite monitoring bodies constituted under D.O. 118-12 of their quarterly regional monitoring reports not only to the DOLE Secretary, but also to the National Tripartite Industrial Peace Council. In Bicol, the DOLE conducted consultative meetings with 61 bus transport operators to prepare for the full implementation of the new policy. — LBG, GMA News