Within the month, bus operators should start paying their drivers and conductors a fixed salary and performance-based incentive or risk revocation of their franchises.
The compensation scheme, under the National Wages and Productivity Commission’s (NWPC) revised guidelines, was set to take effect on March 9.
It required bus operators to implement a “mutually agreed upon” pay package for drivers and conductors based on revenue, ridership, safety record, route conditions and other factors.
The NWPC said bus drivers and conductors should be given a fixed pay not lower than minimum pay in the region of operation.
Bus drivers and conductors must also be entitled to overtime pay, night differential, service incentive leave, 13th month pay, and holiday and premium pay.