By Pearl Gumapos
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Thursday (Oct. 21) said an employer terminating an unvaccinated employee is considered as discrimination and is not allowed.
“Iyong unvaccinated as a basis for termination, palagi po nating inuulit, sinabi, at uulitin na iyan po ay discrimination. Bawal po iyan,” DOLE Undersecretary Ana Dione said during the Laging Handa public briefing.
Dione also said that payment of the 13th-month pay is mandatory under the law and is the employer’s obligation.
“Ang pag-compute dito ay sinusuma-total iyong basic salary na napag-trabahuan ng manggagawa sa buong taon. Tapos, isuma-total mo iyon tapos divide by 12. Kung magkano ang lalabas sa formula na iyon, iyon na po iyong 13th month pay,” Dione explained.
“Iyong iba, ina-advance nila o kaya binibigay nila iyong kalahati bago magbukas ang pasukan. Pero dapat lahat ibibigay before Dec. 21 ng kada taon,” she added.
Meanwhile, if an employee leaves by reason of resignation or termination, he or she is still entitled to his or her 13th-month pay.
“Walang exemption ng pagbayad ng 13th month pay,” Dione said.
“Kasama ang DOLE sa pag-uusap with DTI at napagkasunduan na magkakaroon ng interest free or soft loan na pwede i-access ng mga kumpanya at MSMEs natin,” she added. -rir
