PRIVATE employers can now declare suspension of work during calamities to ensure the safety of employees, according to Labor Advisory No. 16 series of 2022 issued by Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma on August 23, 2022.”To alleviate the plight of employees during weather disturbances and similar occurrences, employers may provide extra incentives or benefits to employees who reported to work on the said days,” part of the advisory of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reads.Section 2 of the said labor advisory, said that employees who decided to go home during the work suspension will not be paid unless authorized under the company’s collective bargaining agreement or they use their leave credits.They cannot also be slapped with administrative sanction.Also under the labor advisory, employees who have already rendered six working hours prior to the declaration of work suspension are entitled to receive their daily wage.But for those who have rendered below six hours of work, they will be paid at an hourly rate. (PAC, TPT)