The riders’
advocacy group Kapatiran sa Dalawang Gulong (Kagulong) called on the government
to hold a social dialogue with riders engaged in ride-hailing, food delivery
and courier services for the provision of fuel subsidies. “We are asking the
Department of Transportation (DoTr) to meet with riders in order to clarify its
plan to distribute fuel subsidies. Riders shoulder the weekly gasoline price increases
and thus deserve ayuda,” said Don Pangan, Kagulong secretary-general.
He also
added that the group is supporting the call of Vice President Leni Robredo and
Senator Francis Pangilinan for the temporary suspension of the excise taxes on oil
products to reduce pump prices. The suspension is provided for under the TRAIN
law but subject to certain conditions. “We believe that the extreme
difficulties brought about by the weekly oil price increases for more than two
months already are more than enough as supervening conditions for the suspension
of excise taxes. This will benefit jeepney drivers and operators, app riders,
farmers and fishers principally and the rest of the people too as oil prices
impact the whole economy,” Pangan explained.
He added
that while it welcomes the DoTr announcement that people engaged in full-time
ride-hailing and delivery services are entitled to the fuel subsidy, there is
no transparency in the plan. “In the first place, the DoTr does not know if the
registered motorcycle owner is using his or her vehicle for platform work. Not
even the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is aware of this due to the
informal nature of the freelancer or independent contractor relationship,” Pangan
explained.
“Only the
apps know who their riders are. But a social dialogue should involve all stakeholders,
thus riders should have voice and participation,” Pangan insisted.
The group averred
that if riders were treated as employees not freelancers then ayuda provision
would be much easier, similar to how workers were granted ayuda under CAMP or SBWS.
The employment status of riders has been the subject of controversy, even
sparking protests amidst the pandemic and prompting the DOLE to issue an “advisory”
on the issue.
Kagulong
earlier lambasted the DOLE advisory as “inutile” since it did not clarify the
employment status of riders. “We reiterate our call for the DOLE to convene a
technical working group (TWG) with riders and other freelancers. The TWG
formation was a commitment of the DOLE in the 2021 labor summit meetings with workers
and employers. Sadly, this is another broken promise of this administration.”
Kagulong is
actively supporting the tandem of Vice President Robredo and Senator Pangilinan
for their commitment to the riders’ agenda and track record of participatory
good governance. “Aangat ang buhay ng riders sa isang gobyernong tapat sa partisipasyon
ng nasa laylayan sa pamamahala,” Pangan concluded.
Photos of
riders call for fuel subsidy can be accessed here:
https://www.facebook.com/kagulong2020/posts/488947976127043
March 1, 2022
Kapatiran sa Dalawang Gulong
