Delivery riders call for better working condition

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ECONOMIC relief, improved working conditions and benefits for habal-habal (motorcycle-for-hire) and delivery riders were sought during the Riders Summit held at Cebu City Hall on Tuesday, July 4, 2023.

The summit aimed to launch the Riders' Charter of Rights and bring together riders from various groups to support it.

Around 60 riders from different organizations, including Grab, Foodpanda, Angkas, Maxim, Lalamove, Joyride, and local rider clubs, attended the event.

City Councilor Rey Gealon presented proposed ordinances during the summit, which aimed to establish riders' hubs in establishments as shelters for riders.

Two ordinances were introduced to grant amnesty to traffic violators and amend certain provisions in the tax ordinance, exempting delivery riders from annual fixed tax payments and assigning liability to digital platform companies.

One of the proposed ordinances set for final reading is the one that creates the Cebu City Motorcycle Riders' Welfare Office. This measure aims to assist motorcycle riders in obtaining the necessary documents to operate legally.

Geoffrey Labudahon, national coordinator of United Delivery Riders of the Philippines, presented the proposed Riders' Charter of Rights, which included provisions such as the right to just compensation, social protection, representation, freedom from discrimination and abuse, safe working conditions, self-organization, continuing education, and grievance mechanisms.

Labudahon said the charter has been submitted to the Senate and Congress, and a position paper has been submitted. His group is waiting for updates.

Riders expressed concerns about the decrease in booking rates and fare rates since after the pandemic, which has affected their daily income.

They had a minimum rate of P55, allowing them to earn between P1,000 and P2,000 daily; however, rates have now dropped to a range of P20 to P40, resulting in lower earnings.

Abraham Montecalvo Jr., a Foodpanda rider, said the summit was important as it aimed to address their concerns and improve their working conditions. (RJM WITH CNU INTERNS CAMILLE BUTAS AND GK MARIE DEJACTO)

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