DOLE reminds employers to ensure proper payment for December holidays

The Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma issued a Labor Advisory No. 26, Series of 2023 on Thursday, reminding private-sector employees to adhere to wage regulations for the upcoming December holidays.

The advisory, under Proclamation No. 90 for 2023, specifies the payment computation for workers on Christmas, 25 December, Rizal Day on 30 December, and a special non-working day on 31 December.

Employees working on 25 and 30 December are entitled to 200 percent of their wage for the first eight hours. Employees who are not reporting on the said date shall receive 100 percent of their wage provided they worked or were on leave of absence on the preceding day.

Employees rendering overtime will be receiving 30 percent based on their hourly rate on the said day. If a regular holiday coincides with an employee's rest day, they are mandated to receive additional pay of 30 percent for the basic wage and 30 percent for the overtime.

The labor advisory also states that for the special (non-working) day on December 31, the "no work, no pay" principle shall apply unless there is a favorable company policy, practice, or collective bargaining agreement granting payment on a special day.

Meanwhile, employees who will render work on the special non-working day shall be paid an additional 30 percent of their basic wage on the first eight hours, while those who will render overtime work shall be paid an additional 30 percent of their hourly rate on the said day.

Employees who will be working on the special non-working day that also falls on their rest day shall be paid an additional 50 percent of their basic wage on the first eight hours; while those who will render overtime work shall be paid an additional 30 percent of their hourly rate on the said day.