DOLE issues Labor Day pay rules

The Department of Labor & Employment (DOLE) has issued pay rules for the Labor Day. This is based on Proclamation No. 459 on the Payment of Wages for the Regular Holidays, Special (Non-working) Days, and Special Holiday for the Year 2013.

According to the DOLE guideline, if the holiday falls on an employee's regular workday and the day is worked, the employee is entitled to 200 percent of his basic wage on the first eight (8) hours and, for work in excess of eight hours, to an additional 30 percent of his hourly rate on the said day. If unworked, the employee is entitled to 100 percent of the regular daily rate, provided he was present, or was on leave with pay, on the workday immediately preceding the holiday.

If the day is the employee's rest day and the employee works on that day, he is entitled to 260 percent of his daily rate on the first eight (8) hours, plus 30 percent for work in excess of eight hours on the said day. If un-worked, the employee is entitled to only 100 percent of his regular rate, provided he was present, or was on leave with pay, on the workday immediately preceding the holiday.

The guideline also states that in case the day immediately preceding the holiday is a non-work day in the establishment, or is the scheduled rest day of the employee, the employee shall not be deemed on leave of absence on that day, in which case he or she shall be entitled to the regular holiday pay.

In a statement, Labor & Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said private sector employers should look after the welfare and protection of Filipino workers not only on May 1, but every day, by paying them the correct wages and benefits.

"The law mandates May 1 as a regular holiday in honor of all Filipino workers. It is but right to observe the pay rules and other general labor standards on this day," Secretary Baldoz said.

President Benigno S. Aquino III declared May 1, Wednesday, as a regular holiday all over the country by virtue of Proclamation No. 459.

The President is set to meet with workers tomorrow, the eve of Labor Day at 10 a.m. in Malacañang's Heroes Hall,, Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said.

Baldoz said the focus of this year's dialogue is on advancing compliance with core labor standards to alleviate poverty.

Baldoz also said Aquino will lead the opening ceremony for the Labor Department's job fair in Tarlac tomorrow.

She added the nationwide job fair will offer more than 400,000 job offerings.

Baldoz said this year's Labor Day celebration is the 111th in Philippine history and is commemorated in honor of all Filipino workers on the theme, "Manggagawang Pilipino: Handa sa Hamon ng Makabagong Panahon." (PNA)