DOLE issues pay rules for quake-hit Cebu, Bohol provinces

The Department of Labor and Employment on Wednesday clarified pay rules for areas declared in a state of calamity after last week's magnitude-7.2 quake in Central Visayas.

DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said this is aside from the pay rules for Oct. 15, a holiday marking Eid'l Adha, the same day the quake devastated the region.

“I urge private sector employers to voluntarily comply with the holiday pay rules. Proper observance of these pay rules is decent and moral and encourages productive and proficient workers," she said.

Under the pay rules for Oct. 15, a worker who did not report for work shall be paid 100 percent of his or her daily wage.

For work done during the regular holiday, the employee is entitled to 200 percent of the amount of his or her daily wage for eight hours of work, or 100 percent holiday pay.

The worker is also entitled to "proportionate daily wage" depending on the number of hours worked.

But for the succeeding days covered by the declaration of state of calamity, the DOLE said the following rules shall apply:

- If the employee did not work, the "no-work, no-pay" principle shall apply, unless there is favorable company policy, practice, or collective bargaining agreement (CBA) granting payment on the said day.

- If the employee accrued leave credits, he or she may be allowed to utilize the leaves so he or she will have compensation on said days

- If the employee worked, he or she shall be paid 100 percent of his or her daily wage.

Workplace

Meanwhile, Baldoz urged employers to ensure the safety of their work premises and secure clearances from competent authorities before allowing workers to enter quake-affected buildings and worksites.

Citing Labor Advisory No. 08-A, Baldoz highlighted the importance of the Safety Committee required under the law.

The committee should be composed of trained first-aiders, nurses, doctors, and safety officers, she said.

“The members of the Safety Committee in every private business establishment should be physically present in the establishments during the state of calamity,” she said.

Tourism sector

During her visit to Tagbilaran City in Bohol, she expressed concern for the plight of workers, particularly those in the tourism services sector.

“Employers should also provide first aid medicines and ensure that immediate medical attention is rendered to injured workers by coordinating with the nearest hospital to facilitate workers’ access to medical services during emergency situations. They may also provide such other extra incentives or benefits to employees who reported for work during the emergency,” she added. — LBG, GMA News