The Department of Labor and Employment has reminded employers to release the 13th month benefit to their workers on or before December 25.
As based on the Labor Code of the Philippines, DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the 13th month pay is a general labor standard which the DOLE does not compromise on its implementation.
According to Baldoz, “All employers are required to pay their rank-and-file employees the 13th month pay, regardless of the nature of their employment, and irrespective of the methods by which their wages are paid, provided they worked for at least one month during a calendar year.”
The 13th Month Pay Law defined as “1/12 of the basic salary of an employee within a calendar year.”
“The 13th month pay must be paid on or before 24 December 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,” she added.
If the employer fails to give the 13th month benefit after the said dates, employees can file a case with any DOLE regional office.
