Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello yesterday reminded employers in the private sector to give their employees their 13th month pay.
The Labor chief said employers should give their employees their 13th month pay on or before Dec. 24.
“It doesn’t matter if you are earning or not because the law mandates this. Employees are entitled to 13th month pay,” said Bello.
Bello said employers should give cash, no gift baskets, as their 13th month pay. “It should be in cash,” Bello said.
Erring employers who refuse to provide the 13th month pay, he said, will be issued compliance orders.
Presidential Decree No. 851 or the Thirteenth Month Pay Law requires all employers to pay their employees with one month equivalent salary on or before Dec. 24 of every year.
However, with the consent of employees, employers may give half of the pay every June and the other half every December. (Leslie Aquino)
