Employers urged to give 13th-month pay

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III –ANTHONY Q. ESGUERRA/INQUIRER.net

A labor group has urged employers to comply with the mandated 13th month pay for their employees.

“All rank-and-file employees regardless of position, designation or employment status have all the right to claim their 13th month pay cash bonus,” said Alan Tanjusay, spokesperson of Associated Labor Unions.

“Even if you are employed for even at least a month during the calendar year or receiving a salary of P1,000 per month, they can avail [themselves] of this bonus,” Tanjusay said.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said employers must pay their workers’ 13th month pay not later than Dec. 24.

Tanjusay said the pay must be in cash and not in kind.

“If employers convert it into rice or grocery items, it’s not 13th month pay bonus anymore. The bonus must be in cash. If they want to give rice and grocery items, it is welcome but it must be received as additional bonus,” Tanjusay said. —TINA G. SANTOS/rga