Labor group: DOLE ‘heartless’ for proposing deferment of 13th month pay
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—A militant labor alliance branded as “so heartless” the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for proposing that companies supposedly in distress be allowed to defer payment of their workers’ 13th month pay.
“The 13th month bonus is the only thing that serves to make up for the expenses and needs of each worker and their families,” said Eduard Ellorenco Jr. , spokesperson of the Workers Alliance in Central Luzon, in a statement on Friday (Oct. 9).
Ellorenco said the government should not use the COVID-19 pandemic as “an excuse to deprive workers of their rights.”
He said Congress must set aside funds to help workers, poor sectors and small businesses recover from the economic impact of the pandemic.
Bello was quoted recently as proposing the deferment of 13th month pay, considered as a Christmas bonus by many workers, for companies suffering from huge losses as a result of the pandemic.
The proposal has been rejected by several senators and condemned by labor groups.
