DOLE to employers: Observe higher pay rules for February holidays

DOLE office. File photo

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reminded employers on Wednesday to properly pay their workers who will be on duty during the special non-working holidays this February.

February 12 and 25, 2021 are special non-working days in line with the celebration of the Chinese New Year and the anniversary of the Edsa People Power, respectively.

According to a DOLE advisory, employees who will report for work on the February holidays shall get an additional 30 percent of their basic wage in the first eight hours. Workers’ basic wage shall be multiplied by 130 percent plus cost of living allowance (Cola).

LIST: 2021 regular, special non-working holidays in the Philippines 

If the employee renders duty in excess of eight hours, the DOLE said workers shall be paid an additional 30 percent on their hourly rate.

But if the employee does not report to work, DOLE said the “no work, no pay” principle shall be applied “unless there is a favorable company policy, practice, or a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) granting payment on a special day.”

The department also noted that employees who will work on the special non-working holiday during their rest day shall receive full pay for the first eight hours of work and an additional 50% of their basic pay.

JPV