Malacañang reminded employers to give 13th month pay to their workers , saying there were no exceptions even during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a press briefing, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the 13th month pay of workers was “mandatory” under the law, which had not been amended.
However, the Palace official assured employers the government was willing to help small businesses to give their workers their Christmas benefit.
“Since we recently had a lockdown and we know that a lot of small and medium-scale industries are struggling, the government will be giving assistance to small business corporations,” Roque said.
“For the small and medium-scale industries that need help in giving 13th month pay, there is already a plan by the Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Finance to provide soft loans,” the Palace official added.
Meanwhile,Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said that soft loans were being eyed for employers struggling to give the 13th month pay.
Bello said he had met with the Employers Confederation of the Philippines and Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez to discuss the possibility of extending soft loans.