DOLE reminds employers on pay rules for Holy Week

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reminded employers, on Tuesday, to abide by the pay rules for the Holy Week.

Maundy Thursday (April 2) and Good Friday (April 3) have been declared regular holidays and Black Saturday (April 4) is a special nonworking day.

“I reiterate to the private sector employers to observe pay rules and other core labor and occupational safety and health standards during these holidays in the interest of the workers’ welfare and protection,” said Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz in a statement.

“If the employee reports for work during a regular holiday, he shall be paid 200 percent of his regular pay for that day for the first eight hours, and for work in excess of the eight hours, an additional 30 percent of his hourly rate on said day,” Baldoz said.

If the day falls on an employee’s rest day and he goes to work, he shall be paid an additional 30 percent of his daily rate of 200 percent. For work in excess of eight hours on those days, he gets an additional 30 percent of his hourly rate.

“If the employee does not render work during a regular holiday, he is still entitled to 100 percent of his salary for that day,” Baldoz said.

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

“If the employee works, he shall be paid an additional 30 percent of his daily rate for the first eight hours of work. For work in excess of eight hours, he will get an additional 30 percent of his hourly rate on said day,” she said.

If the day falls on his rest day and he goes to work, he shall be paid an additional 50 percent of his daily rate for the first eight hours of work. For work in excess of eight hours, he gets an additional 30 percent of his hourly rate on the said day, according to Baldoz. SFM/AC