DOLE reminds employers of pay rules for Aug 21

The Department of Labor and Employment reminded employers on the pay rules for Saturday, the 27th death anniversary of former Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said employers should observe and comply with the appropriate core labor standards, noting Saturday is a special nonworking day. “I again reiterate that private sector employers need to observe and comply with core labor standards for workers on this special day," Baldoz said on the DOLE website. Under the pay rules, if Saturday is worked, the employee is entitled to 130 percent of his or her daily rate for the first eight hours, and to an additional 30 percent of his or her hourly rate on the said day for work performed in excess of eight hours. The DOLE advisory contains the following other provisions:

• If unworked, the worker or employee is not entitled to any payment, unless there is a favorable company policy, practice or collective bargaining agreement (CBA) granting payment for special days even if not worked; and
• If worked and it falls on the employee's rest day, the employee or worker is entitled for the first eight hours to 150 percent of his or her regular daily rate, and for work performed in excess of 8 hours, plus 30 percent of his or her hourly rate on the said day.

Aug. 21 honors the martyrdom of the late Senator Benigno Aquino on August 21, 1983 which was first proclaimed as a special day by virtue of Republic Act 9256. Last Aug. 11, the slain former senator's son - President Benigno Aquino III - issued Proclamation No. 13 declaring Ninoy Aquino Day as a special day. He said this aims to “ensure the continuity of government, business and commercial transactions, and productivity, while promoting the solemnity of the observance." Baldoz pointed out the proclamation in effect makes August 23, a Monday, a normal workday for all employees nationwide. — LBG, GMANews.TV