Baldoz: Pay workers correct wage on May 1

MANILA, Philippines—Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz on Saturday reminded employers to pay their workers the proper wages and benefits on May 1, Labor Day.

Baldoz said employers should follow the rules on holiday pay after President Aquino declared May 1 a regular holiday to mark the 111th Labor Day in the country.

“The law mandates May 1 is a regular holiday in honor of all Filipino workers. It is but right to observe the pay rules and other general labor standards on this day,” Baldoz said in a statement.

Baldoz earlier issued Labor Advisory No. 06, Series of 2012, which set the pay rules for regular holidays, special (nonworking) days and special holidays (for all schools) for this year.

“If the holiday falls on an employee’s regular workday (and) the day is worked, the employee is entitled to 200 percent of his basic wage in the first eight hours and, for work in excess of eight hours, to an additional 30 percent of his hourly rate on that day,” Baldoz said.

“If unworked, the employee is entitled to 100 percent of his regular daily rate, provided he was present or was on leave with pay on the workday immediately preceding the holiday,” she said.

But if the day is the employee’s rest day and he still reports to work, the employee is entitled to 260 percent of his daily rate in the first eight hours, plus 30 percent for work in excess of eight hours on that day.

“In case the day immediately preceding the holiday is a nonwork day in the establishment, or is the scheduled rest day of the employee, the employee shall not be deemed on leave of absence on that day, in which case he or she shall be entitled to the regular holiday pay,” she said.

Baldoz said those with inquiries may call the Department of Labor and Employment call center at 5278000; visit the nearest DOLE regional office (tel. 4006242 for the DOLE National Capital Region), or call the Bureau of Working Conditions at 5273000, local 302.

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TAGS: Holiday Pay, Labor Day, workers