“We will not postpone, we will not defer and we will not give an exemption to the payment of 13th month pay," Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III said on Thursday.
During the Laging Handa Public Briefing, Bello announced that workers will receive their 13th month pay on or before December 24.
Bello said that the department will help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through subsidy if the Secretary of Finance approves, or through loan facilities in all banks.
“Aside from the proposal for a subsidy, we also have an alternative proposal to open the line of banks for these companies to get loans,” he added.
In connection, the Malacañang clarified on October 13, 2020, that the release of the 13th month pay of workers could not be delayed unless the law is amended. This was after DOLE said that distressed small businesses might be exempted from the annual benefit.
“The law has not been amended. That is the law,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said on a press briefing.
Under Presidential Decree No. 851, employers are required to pay their rank-and-file employees a 13th month pay not later than Dec. 24 every year.
Words by Lattrel Ylaya Screenshot from PTV Facebook Live
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