Palace urged to reconsider decision to make Nov. 2, Dec. 24, 31 as 'special working holidays'

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday asked Malacañang to reconsider its decision to make November 2 and December 24 and 31 as "special working holidays," saying this threatens to cut the take-home pay of many employees.

In a statement, Hontiveros said making All Soul's Day, Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve working holidays will deprive workers with additional holiday pay of 30% of their daily basic wage, among other amenities, given to workers during special non-working holidays.

Hontiveros said Malacañang should withdraw and reverse Proclamation No. 1107, which makes the three days special working holidays, as it is "nothing short of disastrous for workers already dealing with a pandemic and an economic crisis."

"This is rubbing salt on the people's wounds. Bakit aalisin ang pagkakataon para kumita ang mga kababayan natin ng extra, ngayong marami ang hirap sa buhay?" she said.

President Rodrigo Duterte declared the three dates as special working holidays to minimize work disruption and help the country recover from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hontiveros said that while she understands the need to increase economic productivity, "demoting special Filipino holidays to special working holidays will only burden and demoralize Filipino workers, many of whom are already underpaid and struggling with high prices of goods."

Hontiveros also pointed out that All Soul's Day, Christmas Eve, and New Year's Eve are some of the most important holidays for Filipino families.

"Tandaan natin, marami sa mga kababayan natin na nagtratrabaho sa mga holiday na iyan ay mga frontliner at essential worker gaya ng medical workers at mga ate at kuya natin sa hotels, restaurants, groceries, at malls na karamihan ay minimum wage ang kita. Hindi na nga nila makakasama ang kanilang pamilya dahil sa kanilang tungkulin, aalisin pa ba natin ang inaasahang dagdag-sweldo sa mga araw na iyan?" she said.

A lower pay during these holidays, she said, might only disincentive and demoralize workers reporting for duty.

“Mahalagang maiahon ang ating ekonomiya. Pero malaki ang kontribusyon ng ating mga manggagawa para maisakatuparan ito. Huwag sana nating isakripisyo ang kanilang kapakanan at ng kanilang pamilya,” Hontiveros said. —Erwin Colcol/KBK, GMA News