Two senators are asking employers to just give workers their 13th month pay.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Sen. Panfilo Lacson on Saturday, Oct. 10, pointed out that the 13th month pay benefit no later than December 24 is mandated by a presidential decree which employers should comply with.
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello earlier said he is mulling to allow the deferment of the payouts for 13th month to help companies ride out the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, instead of implementing an exemption.
"Hindi pwede 'yon, ang exemption lang dun is kung distressed 'yong kumpanya (That's not allowed, the only exemption is when a company is distressed)," Sotto said in an interview with radio DWIZ.
"'Yong 13th month pay, kung kakayanin din lang naman, ibigay...Huwag naman ipagkait kung kakayanin din lang (The 13th month pay, if they are able, then they should just give it. Don't deny them this benefit if you have the resources anyway)," he added.
Lacson shared the same view, saying workers have been also affected by the health crisis and the resulting lockdowns that the government had implemented to address it.
"Sa tingin ko kailangan ibigay pa rin kasi hindi lang naman employer ang nahirapan, eh. Maraming manggagawa na nahirapan (I think it should still be given because not only the employers suffered. Numerous workers have also suffered)," he said.
"'Yong naman kinita ng mga employers noong nakaraang taon, pwede naman siguro nila isakripisyo para ituloy pa rin yong pagbibigay ng 13th month pay. Pagkatapos naman ng pandemya makaka-recoup naman sila ng nawala sa kanila, eh (They could sacrifice their earnings last year to continue giving the 13th month pay. They will be able to recoup what they will lose after this pandemic, anyway)."
Some senators had also expressed opposition to the labor department's plan which they described as illegal as it would violate existing laws.