Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello III clarified that companies are still obligated to give 13th-month pay this holiday season unless the said business is ′′in distress."
Bello indicated that they might allow micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to delay the giving of the mandated 13th month-pay. However, companies that have funding of over more than 1 million pesos may still be required to do so.
"Under the law, yung pagbabayad ng 13th-month pay ay hindi puwedeng iwasan. Unless you are considered a company in distress. Maliwanag 'yan, hindi puwedeng sabihin, [na] hindi namin kaya, hindi muna kami magbabayad." SEC. Silvestre Bello III said.
The agency is still to have a consultation in identifying companies that are to be considered "in distress.
Words by Jeyan Dequillo
Photo by ABS-CBN
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