PCCI bucks overtime pay for Immigration workers

MANILA, Philippines - Local businessmen expressed concern yesterday over the decision of the government to grant overtime pay to Immigration employees because it can increase the cost of doing business in the country thus making it less attractive to foreign investors.

Ambassador Donald G. Dee, vice chairman of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), said that overtime charges by the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine bureaus further exacerbate the cost of doing business in the country, thus reducing the competitiveness of both foreign and local airlines.

He also said this is a disincentive for regional tourism development as this does not support the objective of the Tourism Act of 2009 to help address poverty, especially in the countryside through investment generation.

The PCCI has expressed serious concern over the inclusion of Section 30 of the Immigration Act of 2010 which grants the Immigration Commissioner the power to “authorize Immigration employees to do overtime work at rates fixed by him when the services rendered is to be paid for by the shipping companies, airlines, or other persons served.”

According to the PCCI, what Immigration personnel do in seaports and airports is for the protection of the state and is therefore considered public service. The rendering of overtime work should then be underwritten by the agency concerned, duly integrated in the General Appropriations Act.

“While we agree with the Immigration Act, we would like this particular provision vetoed to further boost the long-term competitiveness of the Philippines through enhanced international connectivity,” Dee noted.

Last Tuesday, the bicameral conference committee approved the proposed Immigration Act of 2009, which will transform the Bureau of Immigration into an instrument to attract foreign investments as well as keep the country safe from undesirable aliens and terrorists.

The proposed law will provide security of tenure to the rank-and-file employees and extend the term of Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan for another year.