DOLE tells employers: Heed holiday pay due for workers

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) issued its first labor advisory for 2025 ahead of the Chinese New Year on Wednesday, Jan. 29.

The advisory signed by DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma is based on Malacañang Proclamation 727, Series of 2024, which declared the Chinese New Year as one of the additional special non-working holidays in the country.

Malacañang, in its proclamation, said that Chinese nationals all over the world celebrates Spring Festival, popularly known as the Chinese New Year, which has been considered as one of the most revered and festive events celebrated not only in China but also in the Philippines.

DOLE’s Labor Advisory No.1 specifically detailed the payment of wages for the special (non-working) day on Jan. 29.

DOLE said if an employee does not work on this day, the "no work, no pay" principle applies, unless there is a favorable company policy, practice, or collective bargaining agreement (CBA) granting payment on a special day.

However, for work done during the special day, the employer needs to pay the employee an additional 30 percent of the basic wage on the first eight hours of work. Beyond that, employers have to pay the employee an additional 30 percent of the hourly rate on said day.

For work done during the special day that also falls on the employee's rest day, the employer should pay the employee an additional 5O percent of his/her basic wage on the first eight hours of work and an additional 30 percent of the hourly rate for work done beyond eight hours.  (CEBU NEWS)