Senate Minority Leader Tito Sotto Wants 14th-Month Pay for Workers in Private Sector
14TH-MONTH PAY – Senate Minority Leader Tito Sotto refiled the bill seeking for the said pay for the employees in the private sector.
In the Philippines, when the -ber months finally start, many Filipinos are excited not only for the left and right gatherings and reunions but as well as for extra pays. Many workers in the private sector are entitled to holiday pays once their duty time falls on a holiday.
Aside from the holiday pay, employees in the private sector are also entitled to the 13th-month pay as long as they have worked for at least a month within the calendar year. Usually, this extra pay given on the last month of the year is used for the holiday expenses as well as in paying off accumulated debts or, at least, reducing the loans.
The Department of Labor and Employment or DOLE usually requests the employers and companies in the private sector to release the 13th-month pay of their employees not later than December 24. In the case of the government workers, it is totally different.
The government employees usually receive their 13th-month pay between June and July. They also have the 14th-month pay which is often times given between late November or early December.
Recently, Senate Minority Leader Tito Sotto made a move in the pursuit of making the 14th-month pay also available for the employees in the private sector. Based on a report on Inquirer, the Senator refiled the Senate Bill No. 193.
Senate Minority Leader Tito Sotto stressed that it is high time for the employees in the private sector to be given the 14th-month pay considering the changes in the cost of living in the country now. He also sees it as another way to assist parents in sending their children to school.
“After almost five decades, the needs and cost of living of every Filipino worker have drastically changed. Thus, it is high time that employees in the private sector receive their 14th-month pay,” the Senate Minority Leader said.
Under the Senate Bill No. 193 refiled by Senate Minority Leader Tito Sotto, an employee of the private sector is entitled to receive at least one twelfth (1/12) of his/her total basic salary provided that he/she has worked for at least one month within the calendar year.
Sotto suggested that the 13th-month pay of the private sector employees will be given by June 14 so workers who have kids to send to school can use their money for their children’s education. With regards to the 14th-month pay, the Senate Minority Leader proposed it to be given not later than December 24 to help in meeting the holiday expenses of the employees in the private sector.
Meanwhile, based on the report, Senate Minority Leader Tito Sotto acknowledged the situation of some private companies and businesses who may be struggling. Distressed companies will not be strictly mandated to adhere to the proposed measure if their status cannot accommodate it.
“The bill has exemptions for qualified employers so as not to burden struggling businesses, as they are equally important for our economy,” the Senator said.
Aside from the 13th-month pay, some employees also receive a Christmas Bonus — and there are clear distinctions between the 13th Month Pay and the Christmas Bonus that many people are usually confused about.