MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) welcomes the proposed 14th-month pay for workers in the private sector.
However, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the agency has no concrete position on the matter at this time because the agency still needs to clarify the provisions of the said measure from the administration.
“We are open. Wala pa kasi that’s the reason why we are going to consult both the management and Labor para we will take a position at the same time we also have to wait for the inputs of the economic advisers of the President,” Bello said.
He added it is also important to consult the employers about the proposed additional benefit.
“Malaking bagay sa kanila iyon pero iyon nga sinasabi ko kaiangan makuha natin ang panig ng mga employers at management. Kasi mamaya ibibigay natin tapos hindi makakayanan ng management at employers. Baka iyong intention to give our workers more benefits might result into less employment,” the Labor Secretary explained.
The DOLE is also awaiting a copy of the proposal before making any decision.
A proposal that seeks to allow allotment of 14th-month pay to private workers has been stalled in Senate for two years now.
The pending measure, Senate Bill No. 2 or the Act Requiring Employers in the Private Sector to pay 14th Month Pay was authored by Senate President Vicente Sotto III.
Bello agrees that the government must provide workers with additional compensation to cope up with the rising prices of commodities, the agency still has to contemplate on the impact of the matter to the economic stability of the country. – Aiko Miguel / Marje Pelayo
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