WITH the holiday season fast approaching, the Department of Labor and Employment Davao Region (Dole-Davao) has reminded the employers the 13th-month pay to their employees before December 24, otherwise they will face legal consequences should workers file a complaint.
In an interview Friday, December 6, with Dole-Davao supervising labor and employment officer Rey Salmite, he reminded all the employers to comply with their requirement and grant the appropriate amount of 13th month pay to their employees as it is mandated by law.
Under Presidential Decree No. 851, all employers are required to give their 13th month pay to workers, whatever their type of employment is.
“Dapat not later than December 24 of this year ihatag ang 13th month pay. Pwede muadto ang mga trabahante sa Dole para maka-file sila ug formal complaint (It should be given before December 24. Employees may go to our office to file a complaint),” Engineer Salmite said adding complaining employees can also call their hotline number.
All rank-and-file workers, provided that they have worked for at least one month of the calendar year, are entitled to receive the 13th month pay. The basic salary of workers is the basis for the computation of the 13th month pay, which means one-twelfth (1/12) of the basic salary of an employee within the calendar year. Failure to give 13th month pay on the mandated date will allow for the complaining employees to file a case.
“So karon ang ginabuhat sa Dole, gina-require ang mga management na mag submit og report sa compliance sa 13th month pay,” he said, adding that this will take place by January.
In the previous year, Salmite said their office have received a number of reports of companies not giving the 13th month pay of their employees. These employees were already charged with penalties.