Workers to get extra pay Aug. 18, 25

MANILA, Philippines – Workers can look forward to enjoying hefty pay and cheaper commodities this month.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) yesterday reminded all employers to provide additional pay to their workers who would be reporting for work during the two coming holidays.

Labor Secretary Marianito Roque said Aug. 18 is a special non-working holiday while Aug. 25 is a regular holiday, thus workers who would report for work are entitled to get overtime pay.

Roque said workers from private companies who would be rendering not more than eight hours of work would get 30 percent on top of their daily basic pay or a total of 130 percent pay.

For work in excess of eight hours, Roque said workers would get another 30 percent additional pay.

Those who were scheduled to take their dayoff but were required to work are entitled to additional 50 percent for the first eight hours of work and another 30 percent for work in excess of eight hours.

However, Roque said the “no work, no pay” policy shall be applied to those who will not render their services unless there is a favorable company policy granting payment on a special day.

Roque added that on Aug. 25, workers should receive double their daily basic pay for the first eight hours of service and an additional 30 percent in excess of eight hours of work.

The labor chief said workers are still entitled to receive 100 percent of their daily basic pay even if they would choose not to render services on the holiday.

Malacañang earlier declared Aug. 18 as a special non-working holiday throughout the country in observance of Ninoy Aquino Day on Aug. 21.

President Arroyo also moved the holiday commemorating National Heroes Day from Aug. 31 to Aug. 25.

Meanwhile, workers in Metro Manila can buy cheaper rice, milk and other essential products as the government mobilizes the “Diskwento Caravan” today.

Roque said the retail outlets to be put up at Lawton’s Park and Ride will sell basic food and non-food consumer items at discounted prices.

The labor chief said the caravan is part of the government’s programs to extend the income of workers.

“The project aims to ease the burden of high and rising prices of basic consumer products on the workers’ purchasing power and to improve their access to basic commodities,” he said.

Roque added that the provision of non-wage benefits is the DOLE’s response to the clamor of minimum wage earners for another round of wage increase.

Mobile caravans will also be deployed in other Metro Manila cities and other parts of the country, including the Export Processing Zone and factory zones.

All workers within the area of the mobile caravans can buy products worth up to P1,500 upon presentation of buyer’s voucher.