ILOILO City – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has reminded private sector employers to ensure the release of 13th month pay to all rank-and-file employees on or before December 24, 2024.
DOLE Region 6 headed by Atty. Sixto Rodriguez Jr. issued guidelines on the proper disbursement of the mandatory benefit.
“Employers are reminded to pay the 13th month pay to their employees pursuant to Article 5 of the Labor Code of the Philippines, as renumbered, and Presidential Decree No. 851,” the advisory stated.
Who Qualifies for the 13th Month Pay?
The benefit applies to all rank-and-file employees in the private sector regardless of position, designation, employment status, or payment method, provided they have worked for at least one month during the calendar year.
Specifically, the following employees are entitled:
* those paid on a piece-rate basis
* those receiving a fixed or guaranteed wage plus commission
* resigned employees
* employees terminated from their jobs
* employees on maternity leave receiving a salary differential
The minimum 13th month pay must not be less than one-twelfth (1/12) of the total basic salary earned by an employee within the calendar year.
Key Reminders for Employers
Employers are prohibited from filing requests for exemption or deferment of the 13th month pay. Compliance must be reported via the DOLE Establishment Report System (https://reports.dole.gov.ph/) no later than January 15, 2025.
The report must include: establishment name and address; principal product or business; total number of employees; total number of employees who benefited; tmount granted per employee; total amount disbursed; name, position, and contact details of the person providing the report.
Monitoring of compliance will be conducted by dole in accordance with Department Order No. 238, Series of 2023. Failure to comply may result in penalties.
Rank-and-file employees and labor advocates are encouraged to report non-compliance to DOLE to protect the workers’ rights as the holiday season approaches./PN
