DOLE-7: Workers to get higher take-home pay before Dec. 31

CEBU CITY, Dec. 4 (PIA) -- Workers are expected to get a higher take-home pay before the year ends.

All employers, who deferred or delayed the payment of the holiday pay, are expected to pay their workers with all of their deferred holiday pays on or before Dec. 31, 2020.

For months from April to October 2020, employers were allowed to defer or delay the payment of holiday pay due to the existence of a national emergency brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a result, workers just tried to make do with their take-home pay or the payment they received from their employers after deductions of mandatory obligations were made minus the holiday pay, said DOLE-7 Regional Director Salome Siaton.

“This time, we are reminding the employers of their obligation to pay qualified workers with their holiday pay before the year ends,” said Siaton.

She added that DOLE has already helped the employers regain a better financial position amid the pandemic by allowing them to postpone the payment of holiday pay.

This time, she added, it is time for the workers to also enjoy what they have worked hard for.

“It’s just a matter of balancing the interest between the employers and that of the workers,” she continued.

Labor Advisories issued on deferment of holiday pay are the following: (1) Labor Advisory No. 13-A- Deferment of Payment of Holiday Pay for April 2020 Holidays; (2) Labor Advisory No. 15- Payment of Wages for the Regular Holiday on May 1, 2020; (3) Labor Advisory No. 20- Payment of Wages for the Regular Holiday on May 25, 2020; (4) Labor Advisory No. 22- Payment of Wages for the Regular Holiday on June 12, 2020; (5) Labor Advisory No. 25- Payment of Wages for the Regular Holiday on June 31, 2020; (6) Labor Advisory No. 27- Payment of Wages for the Special Non-Working Day on Aug. 21, 2020 and Regular Holiday on Aug. 31, 2020; and (7) Labor Advisory No. 29- Payment of Wages for the Special Non-Working Day on Nov. 1 and 2, 2020 and Regular Holiday on Nov. 30 , 2020.

Employers are required to pay all qualified workers of the deferred holiday pay equivalent to 100 percent of their daily wage as stated in Labor Advisory No. 31, Series of 2020 or the Payment of Deferred Holiday Pay during the National Emergency arising from the COVID-19 situation. (jsme/PIA-7/DOLE-7)

Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)