International airlines urged to adjust overtime rate

Airport Customs officers and examiners have urged international airlines operating at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to make an adjustment in the rate of their $1 per hour overtime pay.

NAIA Customs officers told The Star that they will send official communications to the Manila Airline Operators Council (AOC), the organization of the 29 international airlines operating at the NAIA, to adjust the exchange rate of their overtime pay which has been the rate since 1995.

The peso equivalent of the $1 per hour overtime pay is only P36. The adjustment should reflect the current peso-dollar exchange rate of about P51 to the dollar.

NAIA Customs personnel said that the AOC should issue their overtime pay in dollars if it cannot grant their request for rate adjustment.

They said this call for the adjustment of their overtime pay was reasonable considering the rising cost of living.

"This is only reasonable. Anyway, we are not asking for an increase in the rate. We just want them to adjust the peso-dollar exchange rate from P36 toP51 to the dollar," a Customs officer who requested anonymity told The Star.

The source said this has been their long-standing request.

"Tumaas na ng P56, bumagsak na ng P51 ang dollar, wala pa rin (The exchange rate had risen to P56 and now it’s down to P51, they still haven't acted on our request)," the source added.

The overtime pay of $1 per hour is given to airport Customs, Immigration and (Health) Quarantine Services personnel at the NAIA who work beyond the official government office hours to accomodate international flights going in and out of the NAIA at night.

The overtime pay is paid by the international airlines which have nighttime international flights.