ni Ronalyn Seminiano Reonico | October 10, 2020
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Nilinaw ni Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III nitong Sabado na hindi intensiyon ng naturang ahensiya ng gobyerno na ipagpaliban ang pagbibigay ng 13th month pay sa mga empleyado sa darating na Kapaskuhan ng mga negosyong higit na naapektuhan ng COVID-19 pandemic.
Saad ni Bello, “It is very clear under the law that the 13th month pay has to be paid on or before Dec. 25. That is the law. There is no way you can delay or defer the payment of 13 month pay.
“I was misunderstood when I mentioned especially in the implementing rules and regulations, there is a provision which says that companies in distress are exempted from paying 13th month pay.”
Pinag-aaralan umano ng DOLE ang proposal ng mga SMEs na naapektuhan ng pandemya kung maaari nitong ipagpaliban ang pagbabayad ng 13th month pay sa kanilang mga manggagawa.
Dahil dito, aabot umano sa 2 million manggagawa ang maaaring hindi makatanggap ng 13th month pay ngayong taon, ayon sa Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP).
Ngunit paglilinaw ni Bello, ilegal na hindi magbigay ng 13th month pay maliban na lamang kung mayroong kasunduan ang mga manggagawa at ang employer.
Aniya, “If there is any intention to postpone or delay the payment, that cannot be done legally unless it is a private transaction or agreement between the employer and employee.”
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