Bank workers seek tax exemption for 13th mo pay

MANILA, Philippines - While protesting the measly increase in daily take home pay of workers in Metro Manila, a group of bank employees are seeking tax exemption on their 13th month pay this coming holiday season.

The National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE) said a tax exemption on the mandated 13th month pay would provide bank employees a little relief from the high expenses during the Christmas holiday.

“Not having to pay taxes on our 13th month salary is a token gesture of goodwill on the part of our government leaders. This  is a start that can easily be done but is very meaningful to the working person who experiences increased expenses during the Christmas season,” NUBE president Jose Umali said in a statement.

Umali urged both chambers of Congress to pass a joint resolution that would remove taxes on bank workers’ 13th month pay this year.

He said the tax exemption would demonstrate the government’s sincerity in restoring the bank employees’ lost purchasing power, considering that the wage board only granted a P10 increase in basic pay of minimum wage earners in Metro Manila.

According to Umali, granting their demand for tax exemption on the 13th month pay would also help appease the workers’ fury over the pork barrel scam.