DOLE: Release 13th month pay on or before Dec. 24

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reminded employers to release their employees' 13th month pay on or before December 24.

"The 13th month pay must be paid on or before December 24 of every year. This year, the 24th of December falls on a Wednesday, so employers may pay their workers the 13th month benefit on this day, but I urge them to pay earlier to avoid the rush," DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said on Wednesday.

It is stipulated in the Labor Code of the Philippines that all employers are required to give the 13th month pay of all employees who have worked for at least one month in the company.

The 13th month pay is equal to 1/12 of an employee's basic salary within a calendar year. Employers may opt to release the first half of the 13th month pay before the opening of the regular school year on May or June, while the other half may be paid on or before December 24.

“Good labor-management relations, increased workers’ and enterprises’ productivity and competitiveness result from workers being paid what is due them,” Baldoz added.

Employers are required to submit a report of compliance with the said law to the DOLE not later than January 15 of every year, according to the Labor Code. Employees not being paid their 13th month pay may file cases in any DOLE regional office.

"Once the DOLE receives a request for assistance (RFA) to resolve a non-payment of 13th month benefit, the RFA will be acted upon using the single entry approach mechanism of conciliation-mediation which is a very accessible, fair, non-litigious, and inexpensive dispute settlement system," the Labor and Employment Secretary said.

Since assuming the position in 2010, Baldoz has been reminding employers to pay their workers their 13th month pay.