DOLE: No exemption in complying with mandatory 13th-month pay

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said no employer was exempted from paying their employees their 13th-month pay, even if they have only been working for the company for a month.

In an interview with DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma on Super Radyo dzBB, the 13th-month pay must be given on or before December 24, 2022.

“’Bagamat alam naman nating na yung mga kumpanya, na alam naman natin na ang mga nasa kategorya na micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) ay hirap pa rin dahil hindi pa sila lubusang nakakabangon, pero gusto ko lang sabihin na wala pong exemption sa pagbabayad ng 13th month pay,” he said.

“Pwedeng pag-usapan ng manggagawa at employer kung paano matutugunan ang 13th month pay kung hirap ang kanilang kumpanya.”

Laguesma said that they had called on the employers not to wait until the deadline and give the 13th-month pay earlier.

“Entitled din ang mga kasambahay para sa 13th month pay,” he added.

Meanwhile, he said that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) had a program through which small businesses may borrow from the Small Business Corporation (SBC) to provide employees their mandatory 13th-month pay.

Based on the establishments the DOLE inspected, at least 95% had given their employees their 13th-month pay in 2021.

“’Yan ang aming sinusubaybayan sa ngayon at umaasa kami na sa panahon na ito, medyo tumaas pa yung rate of compliance," Laguesma added. — DVM, GMA Integrated News