Platform CEO cannot represent app workers—riders’ group

The riders’ rights group Kapatiran sa Dalawang Gulong (Kagulong) lambasted the claim of Angkas CEO George Royeca that he can represent app riders and informal workers as a partylist nominee.

“There is an inherent conflict of interest between employers and their workers. Di na kailangang i-memorize yan. Employers want to maximize profit while workers desire better wages. We see this in the case of platform riders who frequently complain of arbitrary cuts by apps in their income share even as the companies continue raking in profits,” asserted Don Pangan, Kagulong secretary-general.

Royeca filed his candidacy as first nominee of the Angkasangga partylist group which professes to be an organization for informal workers.

In 2010, the COMELEC disqualified the first two nominees of Angkasangga, a businessman and an ex-mayor, because they are not from any marginalized groups.

Pangan added that “Royeca contends that among his advocacies for running as partylist nominee is the formalization of informal workers. He does not have to be a partylist congressman to lead in this advocacy. As Angkas CEO, all he has to do is to transform their app riders from so-called freelancers to regular employees so they can enjoy the protection of labor standards and workers rights. This is the very definition of formalizing the informal sector—having them covered with the benefits of social protection which in our system is tied to the employment relationship.”

“We challenge Royeca to put his money where his mouth is. Stop misclassifying Angkas riders as independent contractors. Recognize them as regular workers and extend to them social protection, labor standards and workers’ rights,” Pangan explained.

Kagulong also observed that the glitzy and expensive launch of Angkasangga already reveals how the partylist group truly does not represent informal workers who are the most vulnerable section of the working class.

Kagulong has been conducting voters’ education among its members and the broader riders’ community.

“We call on riders to be critical of the election candidates. Kilatisin ang plataporma, huwag papadala sa porma at pera ang aming panawagan sa mga botante at sa mga kapwa riders,” Pangan ended.