13th month pay a must—DOLE

The regional office of the Department of Labor and Employment has reminded all employers in the private sector here in Region 1 to give their employees their 13th month pay by December 24.

According to Regional Director Grace Ursua of DOLE-Ilocos, the employers are obliged to give the 13th month pay as provided for under Presidential Decree No. 851.

Based on the said decree, employers are to pay their rank-and-file employees a 13th-month pay regardless of their position, designation, or employment status irrespective of the method by which their wages are paid, provided they have worked for at least one month during a calendar year.

The 13th month pay is equivalent to one-twelfth (1/12) of an employee’s total basic salary earned within a calendar year.

Ursua said that employees are encouraged to report to the nearest DOLE field office or to the regional website :www.ro1.dole.gov.ph or Facebook account: DOLE Ilocos Region for appropriate action against any employer/s who fail to comply.

The field offices of the DOLE in the region are located in Laoag City; Vigan City, Ilocos Sur; San Fernando City, La Union; Rosales, Pangasinan; Dagupan City and Alaminos City, Pangasinan. (tsg)