Labor chief reminds employers of workers’ holiday pay

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA—Observe the rules on proper pay during regular holidays and special non-working days, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz enjoined private sector companies on Friday, adding that this was part of “a decent work standard that encourages productive and proficient workers.”

According to Labor Advisory No. 6 Series of 2013 issued by Baldoz, employees who report for work during a regular holiday are entitled to 200 percent of their regular salary for that day for the first eight hours, and an additional 30 percent of their hourly rate for work in excess of eight hours.

Based on President Aquino’s proclamation, December 25, Christmas, (a Wednesday), December 30, Rizal Day (a Monday), and January 1, New Year’s Day (also a Wednesday), are regular holidays.

Employees who do not work during a regular holiday are still entitled to 100 percent of their pay for that day, the advisory added.

According to the same labor advisory, employees who go to work on their rest day are similarly entitled to 200 percent of their daily rate for the first eight hours, plus 30 percent of their hourly rate for work in excess of eight hours.

On the other hand, Baldoz said, the principle of “no work, no pay” applies during a special nonworking day, “unless there is a favorable company policy, practice, or collective bargaining agreement  granting payment on a special day.”

The President has declared December 24, Christmas Eve, and December 31, New Year’s Eve, both of them Tuesdays, as special non-working days.

In a statement, Baldoz said that “voluntary compliance with labor laws, including correct wage payment during holidays, denotes workplace excellence and redounds to the competitiveness of business and the country’s industries.”

She added that “employers should share the blessing and joy of the season and, in the interest of our workers’ welfare and protection, pay them correctly during the holidays.