Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III has announced Thursday that the release of the 13th month pay will not be postponed amidst the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
“We will not postpone, we will not defer, and we will not give any exemption with the payment of the 13th month pay.”
In a press briefing, DOLE Sec. Bello has stated that the companies are obligated to give the 13th month pay to their employees on or before December 24.
Based on the law regarding the distribution of 13th month pay, distressed companies are exempted from giving the said benefit to their employees and since the pandemic has hit the country, many companies are affected and some even shut down. However, Sec. Bello has pointed out that in times of crisis, the distribution of the 13th month pay to workers must not be delayed since it is gravely needed.
Subsidy will be given to the companies affected by the pandemic.
According to Bello, the DOLE has been coordinating with the Department of Finance (DOF) to aid companies especially the MSMEs. The DOLE has particularly requested the opening of bank lines for affected companies to make loans available for the 13th month pay of their employees.
The order on the 13th month pay is set to be issued on Friday.
Report from Kenneth Paciente
