DOLE allows employers to defer payment of April holiday pay

MANILA, Philippines —Employers will be allowed to defer the release of its workers’ holiday pay for April in the wake of national emergency due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, according to an advisory released by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Wednesday.

READ: DOLE allows employers to defer holiday pay release for April holidays in light of the COVID-19 situation. | @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/kOLvh0V2q5

— Christia Ramos (@christiaramos_) April 1, 2020

Businesses which stopped operations during the month-long quarantine will likewise be exempted from payment of holiday pay for April.

Under Labor Advisory 13-4, Series of 2020, “employers are allowed to defer payment of holiday pay on April 9, 10, and 11, 2020 as may be applicable, pursuant to Labor Advisory No. 13, Series of 2020 until such time that the present emergency situation has been abated and the normal operations of the establishment are in place.”

Labor Advisory No. 13: https://www.dole.gov.ph/news/labor-advisory-no-13-series-of-2020-payment-of-wages-for-the-regular-holidays-on-april-9-and-10-2020-and-special-day-on-april-11-2020/

DOLE also exempted from the payment of holiday pay for April establishments that have “totally closed” or have “ceased operation” during the imposed enhanced community quarantine in the entire Luzon.

To date, the Philippines has recorded 2,084 COVID-19 cases, 88 of which have died while 49 have already recovered.

READ: DOH: 538 more people have COVID-19 in PH; record tops 2,000-mark