DOLE readies hotlines for complaints on unpaid 13th month pay

The Department of Labor and Employment has hotlines for workers’ complaints regarding unpaid 13th month pay, which is mandatory. Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said she has instructed all DOLE national and regional offices to make sure the hotlines are manned at all times. "We would like to reiterate that it is the obligation of employers under the law, specifically Presidential Decree No. 851, to pay the 13th month benefit to all workers and employees. If they are not paid, they can call our hotlines and tell us so," Baldoz said in an article posted on the DOLE website. In Metro Manila, workers may call 3392016, 3392017, and 4006242. At the DOLE central office, they can also call the DOLE Call Center at 5278000 or 9082917. Workers can also contact the Center at Globe 2917. Other telephone numbers are:

Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), (074) 4240824; Region 1, (072) 700 3879 and 7003122; Region 2, (078) 8445516 and 8440133; Region 3 (045) 4551613 and (045) 4551619; Region 4-A, (049) 5457360; Region 4-B, (043) 2881485; Region 5, (052) 4803058 and 4805831; Region 6, (033) 3228026; Region 7, (032) 2549309; (032) 2535156; Region 8, (053) 3255236; Region 9, (062) 9912673; Region 10, (088) 8571930; Region 11, (082) 2274289; Region 12, (083) 2282190; and Region 13 (CARAGA), (085) 3455212.

"All rank-and-file employees, regardless of the nature of their employment and whatever the mode of payment of their wages and who have worked for at least one-month during the calendar year are covered by the 13th month pay requirement," the DOLE said. The minimum amount of the 13th month pay should not be less than 1/12 of the total basic salary of the employee. For purposes of computing the 13th month pay, the basic salary shall include all remunerations or earnings paid by the employer for services rendered but does not include allowances and monetary benefits which are not considered or integrated as part of the regular or basic salary. These allowances and monetary benefits include cash equivalent of unused vacation and sick leave credits, overtime, premium, night differential and holiday pay, and cost of living allowances. However, these salary-related benefits should be included as part of the basic salary in the computation of the 13th month pay if by individual or collective agreement, company practice or policy, these are treated as part of the basic salary. Employers are required to pay the 13th month pay not later than 24 December of each year. But they may pay one-half of the 13th month pay before the opening of the regular school year and the balance on or before December 24. Resigned or separated/terminated employees are entitled to the 13th month pay in proportion to the length of time he worked during the year, reckoned from the time he started working and up to the time of his resignation or termination. — LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV