Holiday pay on Labor Day

MANILA, Philippines — Double pay awaits workers who will report to work on Labor Day, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Workers are entitled to 200 percent of their daily pay for the first eight hours of work during regular holidays, DOLE reminded employers.

“For work done more than eight hours, the employer shall pay the employee an additional 30 percent of the hourly rate,” DOLE added.

Employees rendering work on a regular holiday that falls on their rest day shall be paid an additional 30 percent on top of the 200 percent for the first eight hours of work, the agency noted.

“Work done more than eight hours during a regular holiday that also falls on the employee’s rest day, the employer shall pay the employee an additional 30 percent of the hourly rate on said day,” DOLE added.

Employers shall also pay 100 percent of the regular pay of workers who will choose to just enjoy the holiday, provided that the employee reports to work or is on leave of absence with pay on the day immediately preceding the regular holiday.

Malacañang has declared May 1, Labor Day, as a regular holiday.

Kadiwa stores, job fairs

The government is setting up Kadiwa stores and holding job fairs today.

Kadiwa stores where commodities are sold at affordable prices will be set up in 103 sites nationwide, Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said yesterday in a radio interview.

He noted that the government intends to institutionalize Kadiwa stores to make cheaper goods more accessible.

Free train rides will also be available to workers riding the Light Rail Transit Line 2 and the Metro Rail Transit Line 3.

About 200,000 local and overseas vacancies will be offered at job fairs around the country as part of the 122nd Labor Day celebration, Labor Undersecretary Benjo Benavidez said yesterday at a public briefing.

He said there will be a celebration at Malacañang commemorating the 50th year of the Labor Code of the Philippines.

There will also be an awarding of outstanding workers and labor groups as well as a payout for beneficiaries of the emergency program, he added.

Among the beneficiaries are those affected by El Niño and the public utility vehicle modernization program, he noted.

Involuntary separation

OFW party-list Rep. Marissa Magsino yesterday filed House Bill 10286 to expand benefits for workers separated “involuntarily” from their employment.

HB 10286 would amend the Social Security Act of 2018 and provide workers with a cash benefit.

The unemployment insurance or involuntary separation benefit would be granted by the Social Security System to covered employees consisting of an amount equivalent to 50 percent of the member’s average monthly salary credit (AMSC) for a maximum of two months.

The benefit is granted through a one-time payment and the claim must be filed within a year from the date of involuntary separation.

The proposed bill provides expanded coverage and benefits of involuntary separation from 50 percent to 75 percent of the qualified member’s AMSC.

Eligible members would be entitled to receive monthly cash payments equivalent to 75 percent of the AMSC for a maximum of two months. – Sheila Crisostomo