CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-7 has reminded employers to carefully check the computation of wages for the June 12 regular holiday.
DOLE-7 Regional Director Lilia A. Estillore said payment of wages is reflected in the Labor Advisory No. 13, Series of 2023 that was issued by Labor and Employment Secretary, Bienvenido E. Laguesma, pursuant to Proclamation No. 09.
Estillore said that if the employees do not work, the employer shall pay 100 percent of the employees’ wage for that day, provided that the employees report to work or are on leave of absence with pay on the day immediately preceding the regular holiday.
“There is no such thing as an after-the-holiday element being one of the factors considered in paying the regular holiday pay,” said Estillore in a statement.
She added that the calls they receive through their Hotline Assistance Call Services about holiday pay is that workers are not paid with the regular holiday pay because they were not present or did not report to work after the holiday.
“This is a misnomer, something that must be rectified,” Estillore said.
She noted that if the day immediately preceding the regular holiday is a non-working day in the establishment or the scheduled rest day of the employees, they shall be entitled to holiday pay if the employees worked or were on leave of absence with pay on the day immediately preceding the non-working or rest day.
For work done during the regular holiday, the employer shall pay a total of 200 percent of the employees’ wage for that day for the first eight hours of work. The 100 percent would represent the basic pay and the other 100 percent is for the holiday pay.
For work done in excess of eight hours or overtime work, the employer shall pay the employees an additional 30 percent of the hourly rate on the said day based on the 200 percent total entitlement per hour.
“If work is done during the regular holiday that also falls on the employees’ rest day, the employer shall pay the employees an additional 30 percent of the basic wage of 200 percent,” added Estillore.
For work done in excess of eight hours or overtime work during a regular holiday that also falls on the employees’ rest day, the employer shall pay the employees an additional 30 percent of the hourly rate on said day.
Meanwhile, Estillore said that giving value to the importance of the celebration of Independence Day on June 12, 2023, employers are encouraged as far as practicable as practiced in schools, to observe ‘no work’ on said day. —/GAN (FREEMAN)