THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) yesterday called on private sector employers to provide their employees with their mandatory 13th month pay benefits as early as possible.
“So that the relationship between employees and employers are happy, let us provide them with the mandatory 13th month pay,” Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said in a radio interview.
“And if it is possible, we hope they will be given early,” he added.
The labor chief said the early provision of the annual benefit will give workers more flexibilitt in spending them.
“This is so they won’t be forced to face large crowds in Divisoria or wherever they plan to spend their 13th month pay,” he said.
Most importantly, though, Laguesma said they are hoping that all employees eligible to receive the 13th month pay will be able to do so.
“What we want is for us to receive no complaints or demands concerning the 13th month pay,” said Laguesma.
Under Presidential Decree No. 851, the 13th month pay should be given to employees not later than December 24 of every year.
