PRESS
RELEASE
January 7, 2015
A BPO workers association added its voice to groups opposing the
MRT and LRT fare hikes and avers that the rate increase will negate the
expected benefit coming from tax exemption of de minimis benefits.
According to the Inter-Call Center Association of Workers
(ICCAW), ordinary workers, BPO employees included, who make up the bulk of
regular train riders in the MRT and LRT systems in Metro Manila will bear the
brunt of the onerous rate.
“The new tax exemption on de minimis is welcome news to millions
of low-waged workers. But the impending MRT rate hike is definitely a
spoiler,” said
ICCAW-NCR spokesman Bryan Nadua.
He also lamented the fact that Malacanang has yet to sign the
measure although it has already been announced. “The government is fast in imposing burdens on the workers but slow to
act on benefits for the employees,” Nadua added.
An additional exemption of up to P10,000 can be availed by
workers who enjoy extra economic benefits coming from collective bargaining
agreements and productivity schemes. The de minimis tax exemption has
been a demand of labor groups grouped under Nagkaisa in dialogues with
Malacanang.
Nadua said the amount of exemption is almost equivalent to the
fare hike that will be imposed by the Department of Transportation and
Communications (DOTC) upon train riders beginning January 4.
A two-way adjusted rate of P28 per day in the MRT is equivalent
to more or less P10,000 in one year, ICCAW stated, lamenting that the fare hike
is cancelling out the benefits of the new tax exemption.
“Kung ano ang ibibigay ni Kim Henares
sa kabilang bulsa, kukunin ni Joseph Abaya sa kabila,”
insisted Nadua.
Labor groups like Nagkaisa are opposed to the planned rate
increases in MRT and LRT, saying the railway system which is being enjoyed by
millions of low-waged workers should remain subsidized by the State.
ICCAW, which was first organized in Cebu City
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