フィリピン下院議員は、民間企業の従業員が給与振り込みの銀行口座を選択できるようにする法案“Bank Account Portability for Workers Act”（「労働者のための銀行口座ポータビリティ法」）を承認しました。これにより従業員は金融商品の魅力や金利、銀行へのアクセスなどの判断が可能になります。

フィリピンの労働者は通常銀行口座や銀行預金を持っておらず、給料はすぐ使い切られてしまいます。労働者が給料を節約できるような環境を提供することは貯蓄を促す良い機会になるため、この法案への支持は多いようです。

コロナ禍で様々な課題が生まれる一方、制度の改善が柔軟になったように感じます。今後も臨機応変に従来の制度が改善されていくことが期待できます。

House panel OKs bill letting workers choose bank account for payroll

MANILA – A panel of House lawmakers on Monday approved a bill seeking to allow private sector employees to choose the bank account where their wages may be deposited.

The House Committee on Labor and Employment approved, subject to style and amendments, House Bill 7619 or the “Bank Account Portability for Workers Act” saying this lets workers weigh the attractiveness of financial products, interest rates, as well as the accessibility of banks.

The Bill’s author, Marikina City Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo said the proposed “Bank Account Portability for Workers Act” would amend for Presidential Decree Mo. 442 or the Labor Code of the Philippines.
The Department of Labor and Employment Undersecretary Ana Dione, endorsed the bill.

Alan Tanjusay, spokesman of the Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP) also expressed support for the bill especially since workers usually do not have bank accounts and bank savings.

“Tinitingnan namin ang panukalang ito bilang isang opportunity, binibigyan natin sila ng environment o facility na ma-encourage silang mag save ng kanilang sweldo kasi kadalasan ay nauubos kaagad yung sahod ng manggagawa,” Tanjusay said.

(We see this proposal as an opportunity. We are giving them the environment or facility that will encourage them to save their wages, because usually workers; salaries are used up quickly.)

Robert Maronilla, legal service manager of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), meanwhile said having 5 different banks for the employees of a large enterprise would be reasonable, but 5 banks for a microenterprise would seem impractical.