Umapela ang Ecumenical Institute for Labor Education and Research o EILER sa isa sa mga pinakamalaking ride-hailing application na GRAB na huwag hayaan mabaon sa utang ang kanilang mga sariling drivers.
Ito ay matapos ang mga ulat na nag-aalok na ng online loans at iba pang uri ng loan application sa loob mismo ng nangungunang ride-hailing app.
Ayon kay Rochelle Porras, EILER Executive Director, hindi tama at ilulubog lamang sa utang ang mga riders dahil sa pagkakaroon ng mga automatic deduction sa kita ng mga drivers.
“This repayment model, given the already low income and financial vulnerabilities of many riders, substantially diminishes their net income. The system effectively forces them to work extra hours with the same low pay in order to be able to pay their loan. What Grab should do is implement living wages for riders, rather than maintain a system that fuels high-interest loans, and shifting the burden onto consumers who pay the riders’ fee, which Grab still takes a cut,” ayon sa mensahe ni Porras na pinadala sa Radyo Veritas.
Nanawagan naman si Porras sa pamahalaan na magpatupad ng fuel subsidy sa mga public utility vehicle.
“We are in solidarity with all riders and platform workers in upholding the dignity of work and demanding that the Philippine government and corporations, including Grab, guarantee living wages to cope with oil price hikes and costs of living. EILER calls on fellow CSOs to unite in dismantling the race to the bottom practices of low wages and incomes and exploitative lending schemes, and to collectively advance policies that empower workers and uphold their rights,” ayon pa sa mensahe ng EILER.
Nakasaad sa mga katuruan ng Rerum Novarum na ensiklikal ni Pope Leo the 13th na dapat isulong ng mga employers ang dignidad ng mga manggagawa at ikakabuti nang kanilang kabuhayan.
