THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is expected to order soon fixed salaries and other incentives for bus drivers to address the rising incidence of fatal bus accidents.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said a committee, led by the department, will be formed shortly to study the different dimensions of the situation of bus drivers who work more than 10 hours daily but are not paid regular compensation by the bus operators who employ them.

“We’re looking at the possibility, as suggested by [Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis] Tolentino of a fixed rate for them and possibly, additional incentives, based on a study we’re going to conduct to have an idea on how much they really earn on a commission basis,” Baldoz said in an interview on Thursday. “We were also told there are bus operators who already give fixed salaries, so there is another mode of payment.”

She said the DOLE needed to “study the different dimensions of the problems.”

“The idea is that if there will be a change in the system of fixing their wages, then there should be no diminution of their existing benefits. We will constitute the committee that will study it,” she said.

Baldoz said the DOLE-led study is expected to be finished in a month. “The findings and recommendations will be subjected to consultations with all stakeholders.”

She said, “If we have a consensus of what is good for everybody—bus operators, drivers and the public—then we can issue a department order.”