In a statement, the Partido Manggagawa (PM) appealed for consideration from business executives on worker tardiness.
“Since employers recognize that there is as yet no existing solution to this pressing issue, we demand that capitalists not punish workers who are late due to a problem that they have no control over,” PM National Chairperson Renato B. Magtubo said in a statement on Friday.
“Until traffic congestion is substantially reduced, such remedial steps must remain in place to protect workers.”
In particular, the group is asking employers for the following:
- a 30-minute grace period before being declared late for work;
- no warnings and salary cuts if late due to traffic;
- and a shuttle bus service for companies with at least 200 employees.
The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP)-Nagkaisa faction also backed the grace period proposal.
“We ask government and employers to adjust tardiness and lateness rule on their employees and government workers to 30 more minutes maximum for the time being while there are no measures yet to address worsening traffic condition,” TUCP-Nagkaisa spokesperson Alan A. Tanjusay said via text.
While acknowledging the grueling traffic situation in the capital, an official of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) said it could set the wrong example for workers to follow.
“The proposal for mandatory grace period would be a disincentive to those who are punctual and efficient in their work and could promote a culture of habitual tardiness,” ECOP President Edgardo G. Lacson said in a text message.
Another ECOP official said a good alternative would be allowing flexible schedules for employees while more permanent solutions to road congestion are laid out.
“I am not too clear on the mechanics of the 30-minute grace period. But in actual practice, some offices have adopted varying schemes of the so-called flexi-time,” ECOP director-general Vicente Leogardo Jr. said separately.
“Also, employers may adopt a compressed work week, which is considered valid as long as the union or workers agree to it.”
Sought for comment, the Labor department said such arrangements can be better addressed through talks between employees and management instead of prescribing government rules.
“The issue can be the subject of consultation at the company level between workers and/or unions considering the circumstances and needs of both instead of mandating it by law,” Labor Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz said in a text message.
“There are companies already under flexi-time arrangements and also those in IT sector, where they can produce their outputs without reporting physically for work.”
President Benigno S.C. Aquino III on Thursday said he plans to implement an odd-even scheme to further cut the volume of vehicles plying the local roads, but this was thumbed down by business leaders and transportation experts as a viable solution.
At present, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority is implementing a car plate coding scheme during weekdays, which restricts some motorists from taking their cars out during rush hour once a week.
Asked what the workers’ recourse could be for the long commutes daily, Mr. Lacson said all must “sleep less at night and leave their residence before the break of dawn and pray for light traffic.”
“Levity aside, authorities must deploy traffic enforcers who are fully trained, coordinated, firm and fair, and dedicated to their duties, who will not abandon their posts at the first drop of rain or when lunch break comes.”
“Motorists and pedestrians must be disciplined to follow traffic rules by way of strict apprehension of violators. A culture of compliance to regulations will be inculturated if rules are enforced fairly, consistently, and sustainably.”
Mr. Leogardo, meanwhile, said there is still a long way to go to address the worsening Manila traffic, with gradual decongestion of the capital and putting up a “highly efficient” mass transport system.
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