Zamboanga City, Dec 8 (PIA) --The Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office IX enforced the observance of Department Order No. 03 series of 2010, on the release and guidance of the 13th Month Pay. The Order was issued by the Secretary of Labor and Employment Rosalinda D. Baldoz.
Pursuant to the provisions of the Rules and Regulations Implementing Presidential Decree No. 851 requiring employers to pay their employees a 13th Month Pay on or before December 24 of every year, all covered employers are hereby reminded to comply with Section 8 of the aforesaid Rules and Regulations. Employers are required to submit a report of compliance to the nearest regional office not later than January 15 of each year.
The said decree states that all employers are required to pay their rank and file employees 13th month pay, regardless of the nature of their employment and irrespective of the methods by which their wages are paid, provided they worked for at least one (1) month during a calendar year.
The 13th month pay shall not be less than one-twelfth (1/12) of the total basic salary earned by an employee in a calendar year. An employer, however, may give to his or her employees one-half (1/2) of the 13th month pay before the opening of the regular school year and the remaining half on or before December 24 of every year.
The holiday season is basically the reason of the much awaited pay before the end of the year, for humanitarian reason and for finding the true essence of giving.
Employees will be very happy if the employers will comply voluntarily on this concern, said DOLE 9 Regional Director Ponciano Ligutom. (DOLE9/DM/PIA9-ZBST)