THE Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) renewed its call to various private companies and employers to issue pay slips to their workers and employees in a move to ensure compliance with labor laws.
Undersecretary Dominador Say said complaints that workers were not being issued pay slips, thus cannot trace nor verify if their wages were deducted with social security contributions.
“This is their right. Regardless of their work status, casual or regular employees, job designation, and rate of wages, they are entitled to receive pay slips from their employers. This will be the proof of their wages, and if they are being paid properly by their employers,” Say added.
Say said even domestic workers or “kasambahay” has the right to be issued with pay slip in accordance with Republic Act No. 10361, Section 26 which states that “The employer shall at all times provide the domestic worker with a copy of the pay slip containing the amount paid in cash every pay day, and indicating all deductions made.”
He pointed to the process being conducted by Labor Laws Compliance Officers during inspections where they first ask employees of their pay slips for them to check the rates being deducted from their workers' wages and whether they remit their employees' social security contributions.
“With their pay slips, we can determine if they are being paid properly. They are all entitled to get social benefits under the law, including overtime and holiday premiums, as well as additional pay for work done on their rest days. Workers have the right to know this and the government, the labor department requires this process,” Say added.
He also noted that should an employer fail to comply with the said regulation, such as non-issuance of pay slips, paying employees below the minimum range of wages, non-remittance of SSS, and other social benefit contributions will make the company liable for infringement of labor laws and face charges.
“We encourage the workers to report non-compliant employers. What we can do is we can coordinate with SSS or concerned Dole offices which can directly send a notice of compliance to the employers, explain them the law, and order them to pay and strictly abide by the rules,” the official added.
In the case of worker’s dismissal, Say stressed that employers can only dismiss a worker under the reasons of authorized causes, such as retrenchment, bankruptcy, redundancy, and with due process. The separation pay will also depend on the reason for dismissal whether an employee will receive the one-half month or one month per total years of service to the company.
The Dole official further advised workers with queries and complaints to immediately report or visit the nearest SSS or Dole Regional offices in their area or they may call Dole Hotline 1349 where their concerns can be assisted.
“I would like to make a clear message to our Filipino workers: know your rights. We are here to help. If you have complaints, visit our regional offices and we will assist you in filing cases to your employers and assure you of your identity's confidentiality.
Newly-established companies and employers with questions regarding general labor standards are also encouraged to visit the nearest Dole regional offices so that they can be trained and briefed on properly providing their employees with social security benefits and others requisites of the law. (PR)