WITH the country heading to the Christmas weekend, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has issued the pay rules for the holidays declared December 24, 25 and 26.

Under existing pay rules, there are different policies that shall be in effect for December 24 (special working day), December 25 (regular holiday), and December 26 (special non-working day).

For work performed on a declared special working day, like December 24, an employee is entitled only to his/her daily wage.

“No premium pay is required since work performed on said day is considered work on an ordinary working day,” said DOLE.

For work performed on December 25, the DOLE said the employee shall be paid a total of 200 percent of his/her wage for that day for the first eight hours, and an additional 30 percent of his/her hourly rate on said day for overtime work.

And if work is done during a regular holiday that also falls on his/her rest day, he/she shall be paid an additional 30 percent of his/her basic wage of 200 percent; and an additional 30 percent of his/her hourly rate on said day for overtime work.

“If the employee did not work, he/she shall be paid 100 percent of his/her wage for that day,” said DOLE.

And for work done on December 26, the labor department said the worker shall be paid an additional 30 percent of his/her basic wage on the first eight hours of work, and an additional 30 percent of his/her hourly rate on said day for overtime work.

For work done during a special non-working day that also falls on his/her rest day, he/she shall be paid an additional 50 percent of his/her basic wage on the first eight hours of work, and an additional 30 percent of his/her hourly rate on said day for overtime work.

“If the employee did not work, the ‘no work, no pay’ principle shall apply unless there is a favorable company policy, practice or collective bargaining agreement (CBA) granting payment on a special non-working day,” said DOLE.

Proclamation No. 1236 declared December 24 (Christmas Eve) as a special working day, while December 25 (Christmas Day) is a regular holiday.

On the other hand, Proclamation No. 115 declared December 26 (Day after Christmas) as a special non-working day. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)