WORKERS in Negros Occidental were told to assert their rights on receiving just salaries and compensation, especially during holidays.
Wennie Sancho, secretary-general of the General Alliance of Workers Associations (Gawa), said on Monday, August 27, workers reporting to duties during holidays should demand from their employers their rights to double compensation.
Sancho, however, said that while it is true that they have to assert their rights, employees must also see to it that their performance is tantamount to the compensation given to them.
"This is one measure that should be taken seriously by the management because giving corresponding pay during holidays could make the workers more productive," he added.
Earlier, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has reminded all private sector employers to pay their workers double on Monday, August 27, National Heroes Day which was declared a regular holiday nationwide by virtue of Proclamation No. 269.
The agency said an employee who reports for work on a regular holiday is entitled to receive 200 percent of his or her basic wage for the first eight hours.
Those working beyond eight hours should receive an additional 30 percent of their hourly rate, it said.
For work done during a regular holiday that also falls on an employees' rest day, the DOLE mandates that they shall be paid an additional 30 percent of the daily rate of 200 percent.
For overtime work during a holiday that also falls on the workers' rest day, they shall be paid an additional 30 percent of the hourly rate on the said day.
If the employee did not work, he or she shall be paid 100 percent of his or her salary, it added.
Sancho, also a labor representative to the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) in Western Visayas, said they would like to increase the idea that labor and management are partners for progress.
So if the workers are paid well, productivity will increase, Sancho added.
"This development should be nurtured so that workers are ensured of good compensation during holidays," he added.
The labor leader further said that if possible, the "no work, no pay" policy should be discouraged.
He claimed that such policy exists in Negros Occidental especially among contractual workers.
"Aside from reporting to the DOLE, workers not given the right compensation during holidays may also coordinate with Gawa so that we can advise them what to do," Sancho added.
