‘Private sector may suspend work during bad weather’

MANILA, Philippines — Private sector employers may suspend work during bad weather to ensure the safety of workers, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said yesterday.

The DOLE said an employee who did not report to work on that day is not entitled to regular pay, except in the presence of a company policy, practice, or collective bargaining agreement granting payment of wages, or when the employee is allowed to use leave credits.

Those who reported to work will receive full regular pay, provided the worker rendered work for not less than six hours.

“If less than six hours of work, the employee is entitled to a proportionate amount of the regular pay, without prejudice to existing company policy or practice beneficial to workers,” the DOLE said.

Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said employers could provide extra incentives or benefits to employees who reported to work during bad weather to alleviate their plight.

“Employees who fail or refuse to work due to bad weather will not be subjected to any administrative sanction,” Laguesma said.