Parañaque lawmaker files bill for fixed bus drivers’ pay

Bodies of passengers are covered in newspapers as they are laid down on the road after a passenger bus plunged from an elevated highway known as Skyway Monday, Dec. 16, 2013, in suburban Paranaque southeast of Manila, Philippines. Officials said at least 21 people died, mostly passengers, and more than 20 others were injured in the accident. AP

MANILA, Philippines – A lawmaker filed a bill granting bus drivers fixed salary and benefits to avoid road accidents due to stiff competition for passengers.

Parañaque City Representative Eric Olivarez filed House Bill 29013, which provides for a “part-fixed, part-performance”-based wage rate, according to a statement Thursday.

The fixed wage rate shall not be lower than the minimum salary while the performance-based rate shall be based on safety and business performances.

The bill would also provide benefits such as holiday, premium, 13th month and overtime pays, leaves, social security and welfare benefits, separation or retirement pay, night shift differential and other benefits under existing laws.

Olivarez filed the bill in a bid to curb road accidents resulting from competition and speeding.

RELATED STORIES

Belmonte backs fixed salaries for bus driver 

Bus driver in Skyway accident is 20th fatality

Finally, MMDA stops bus driver with 99 violations