DOLE reminds employers: Release 13th month pay on or before Dec. 24

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reminded employers to release the mandatory 13th month pay of their employees on or before December 24 (Christmas Eve).

In a labor advisory, DOLE provided guidelines for the proper computation for the 13th month pay.

“The 13th month pay shall be paid to rank-and-file employees in the private sector regardless of their position, designation, or employment status, and irrespective of the method by which their wages are paid, provided that they have worked for at least one month during the calendar year,” the advisory said.

“It shall also be given to rank-and-file employees who are paid on a piece-rate basis, fixed or guaranteed wage plus commission, those with multiple employers, those who resigned, were terminated from employment, or were on maternity leave and received salary differential,” it said.

The 13th month pay is pursuant to Article 5 of the Labor Code.

According to DOLE, the mandatory benefit shall not be less than 1/12 of an employee’s basic salary within the calendar year.

Requests or applications for exemption or deferment will not be accepted.

“Employers shall make a report of their compliance through the DOLE Establishment Report System no later than January 15, 2025,” the Labor Department said.

DOLE Respective Regional/Field/Provincial Office having jurisdiction over the workplace shall monitor compliance with this general labor standard, it added.—Sundy Locus/RF, GMA Integrated News