DOLE issues pay rules for work suspended during calamities

The Labor Department issued rules on works suspension and payment of wages during weather disturbances. pic.twitter.com/G15hV5h8RJ

— Ted Cordero (@Ted_Cordero) August 25, 2022

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has issued the rules on the payment of wages for employees who will report for work during weather disturbances.

In a statement issued Thursday, the DOLE said Labor Advisory No. 17, series of 2022 was issued by Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma “to guide private sector employers on the suspension of work and the appropriate payment of wages during inclement weather conditions and calamities.”

In the advisory, Laguesma said that private sector employers have the prerogative to suspend work to ensure the safety and health of their employees.

“Except as provided for by law or appropriate proclamation, employers in the private sector may, in the exercise of management prerogative and in coordination with the safety and health committee, safety officer, or any other responsible company officer, suspend work to ensure the safety and health of their employees during weather disturbances and similar occurrences,” the Labor chief said.

The advisory states that if the company needs to continue with its operations during weather disturbances, “employee is entitled to full regular pay provided that he/she has rendered work for not less than six hours.”

“If less than six hours of work, the employee shall only be entitled to the proportionate amount of the regular pay without prejudice to existing company policy or practice more beneficial to the employee.”

However, the employee is not entitled to regular pay if he/she did not report for work during weather disturbances, “except when there is a favorable company policy, practice, or collective bargaining agreement granting the payment of wages on the said day or when the employee is allowed to utilize his/her accrued leave credits.”

The Labor chief also called on employers to provide extra incentives or benefits to employees who will report for work despite weather disturbances and similar occurrences.

Meanwhile, Laguesma said employees who fail or refuse to work by reason of imminent danger resulting from inclement weather conditions shall not be subject to any administrative sanction. — Ted Cordero/RSJ, GMA News