The wheels on the bus go round and round: the challenges of mainstreaming “decent work” norms in the Philippine transportation sector.

Abstract

In the Philippine transport sector, there are practices that hinder the full implementation of what we call decent work norms, or productive work opportunities that delivers fair income, workplace security and social protection, personal development and social integration, freedom of expression, and rights to organization (International Labor Organization, n.d.). In the Philippines, despite efforts to mainstream these in different industries, working conditions remain dismal. Using the case of public utility bus drivers and conductors, this study aimed to understand the challenges of mainstreaming of decent work norms in their sector. By analyzing interview, focus group discussion data and company policies with an institutionalist lens, the study aimed to identify the institutionalized hindrances to the implementation of decent work norms for bus drivers and conductors.