Lawmakers are pushing for the passage of bills providing for a 14th month pay for all workers.
On Tuesday, House Committee on Civil Service has started its deliberations on four pending measures mandating the 14th month pay for all employees regardless of status of employment.
Kabayan Rep. Ron Salo said his House Bill 666 or 14th Month Pay Law mandate that all employers in government and private sector shall be required to give their employees a 14th month pay, regardless of the employees’ status of employment.
Quezon City Rep. Jose Christopher Belmote, Manila Rep. John Marvin Nieto and ACT-CIS Rep. Eric Go Yap have also filed a similar bill mandating the said pay.
Moreover, Salo said the 13th month pay shall be paid to the employees on or before May 31 of each year in anticipation of the school enrollment of the employees’ dependents. The 14th month pay shall be given to the employees on or before November 30 of each year in time for the traditional holiday celebrations.
“Despite the existence of the 13th month pay, many Filipino families still struggle to sufficiently provide for their families because of meager salaries, among others. With the continuously rising cost of living in the Philippines, it is incumbent upon the State to address the plight of its workers in both the government and private sectors,” Salo said.
“With this proposal, we hope that we are able help our fellow Filipinos, especially the lowest of the lows, make ends meet and adequately provide for their families,” he added.
Salo said he recognizes that some employers may find it challenging to provide for this incentive to their employees because of the losses incurred due to the pandemic.
However, he stressed that those who are financially capable should be encouraged to provide a 14th month pay to their employees since these employees have allowed these industries to stand firm and weather the proverbial storm of the raging pandemic.
If the bill is passed, Salo said, the additional disposable income that workers will be able to receive would certainly help to encourage spending and revitalize our economy severely affected by the pandemic.
“More than anything, this is a recognition of the indispensable contribution of our workers in the progress and development of our country, both in the government and private sectors. They have endeavored to continue showing up to work despite the risks that the pandemic entails so that they can continue providing for their families and in turn, help their employers survive the pandemic,” Salo added.
Another committee meeting will be scheduled to consolidate the bills and come up with a substitute bill, which shall clarify and refine the provisions of the proposed measure.
Director Gerald Janda of Organization Position, Classification and Compensation Bureau of the Department of Budget and Management said the government is already providing 14th month pay for its workers.
“We recognize the intention of these bills to protect the rights and promote the welfare of workers in the government. But may I just highlight that government employees are already receiving both the 13th and 14 month pay, which specifically called midyear and year-end bonus,” Janda said
“Year-end bonus has already been granted to employees since 1988. This is annually provided to qualified government employees. Under RA 11466 or Salary Standardization Law 5, the midyear bonus was institutionalized, which is equivalent to one month basic salary this is being provided to qualified government employees not later than May 15 of every year,” he said.
However, Janda said contractual workers and job order workers are not entitled to midyear and year-end bonuses and other benefits.
“Those hired by government agencies without employers and employees relationship such as contract service and job orders workers are not covered by the grant of year-end and midyear bonus,” he said.
Image credits: Robinson Ninal Jr./Malacañang Presidential Photographers Division via AP