Labor sector tells employers: Don't forget 13th month pay

The labor sector has reminded the employers not to forget the release of the 13th month pay, especially now with the implementation of Expanded Value-Added Tax.

The workers said there is no reason why businessmen would not give the 13th month pay considering that it is stipulated in the Labor Code.

"We are calling on the businessmen to never forget to give the 13th month pay of the workers because that's the only thing that we are relying on now for our families to be able to celebrate Christmas," said Nicasio Igot, chairman of the Alyansa sa mga Mamumuo sa Sugbo-Kilusang Mayo Uno.

With the implementation of eVAT, also known as the Reformed Value-Added Tax, Igot said that what workers would receive this Christmas would be just enough for them to adjust with the rising prices of basic commodities.

"Instead of giving us our 13th month pay or Christmas bonus, what the government gave us this Christmas is eVAT, which is making the lives of workers much worse," Igot added.

Dennis Derige of Partido ng Manggagawa shared the same sentiments, saying that employers should help workers solve the problem.

He added that if employers refuse to give workers their 13th month pay, they have reason to file a case because that would be violation of the law.

According to him, businessmen should help workers encourage the government to give workers some wage and non-wage benefits.

"They (employers) are not affected by EVAT because they just pass it on to the consumers. They should help the workers in pushing for non-wage benefits," Derige said.

He said that daily wage earners are the ones who are most affected by the eVAT because they are receiving low salaries amid the rising costs of oil and basic commodities.

Both Igot and Derige noted that despite the unclear stand of the government on the issue of legislated wage increase, they would still continue to push for it. - Wenna A. Berondo