BY MARIO CASAYURAN, JEFFREY DAMICOG
Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III said that the 13th month pay must be given to workers.
Pimentel explained that the 13th month pay is really “salary” under current laws.
‘’It is just called 13th month pay. Hence it must be paid. Employees are ‘more distressed’ compared to their ‘capital providing’ employers,’’ he said.
“Hence the employees’ interests and needs must not be sacrificed at all or in any way. Ibang sector ang mag-sacrifice,’’ he added.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) had stated that employers who are ‘’distressed’’ or affected by the COVID-19 pandemic may be allowed not to pay the 13th month pay.
Meanwhile, the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) urged the government on Friday to help micro companies get funds so they can hand out the 13th month pay to their employees.
“There are micro companies that requested if government agencies…can advance some money to those who are cash-strapped, they are willing to pay the 13th month pay,” ECOP president Sergio Ortiz-Luiz said during an interview with CNN Philippines.
The ECOP official noted that 30 percent of the country’s industries are composed of micro companies and, among the 30 percent, around half have already closed down during the pandemic.
“The ones operating are still waiting. Many of them are still waiting for assistance from the government,” Ortiz-Luis said.
Ortiz-Luis said deferment of the payment of the 13th month for these companies is “not really an option” because “the responsibility to pay will still be there.” (Mario Casayuran, Jeffrey Damicog)
