2. Presidential Decree No. 442. This Decree
shall be known as the "Labor Code of the
Philippines. It prescribes the rules for
hiring and termination of private
employees; the condition of work
including maximum work hours and
overtime; employee benefits holiday pay,
thirteen month pay and retirement pay;
and the guidelines in the organization and
membership in labor unions as well as
collective in bargaining.
10. According to Republic Act No. 6727 or
the “Wage Rationalization Act” of the
Labor Code, the Minimum wage in the
Philippines varies across three major
industrial sectors – Agriculture, Retail
Establishment, and Service
Establishment. It is furthermore
determined regionally. The minimum
wage range in the Philippines may range
from PHP 315 to PHP 570 per day.
11. Social Security System (SSS)
Government Service Insurance
System (GSIS)
PhilHealth
PAGIBIG Fund/ HDMF
13th Month Pay
Under the Labor Code, employees in the
private sector are granted six basic
mandatory benefits.
12. NORMAL WORK HOURS: The regular
working hours in the Philippines are 8
hours. However, meal/break periods of
an hour are inserted in between these
hours. However, there are instances
where employee breaks are shortened to
20 minutes due to the nature of work or
urgent tasks.
13. Ordinary weekday, overtime – hourly
rate X 125%
Rest days or Special days – hourly rate X
130%
Scheduled Rest day – hourly rate X 150%
Regular Holiday – hourly rate X 200%
OVERTIME PAY: Rate varies based on the
day the extra work was performed. Below
are the following rates:
Below is the pay rate for working extra but
on regular time (8 hours) on following days:
14. Rest days or Special days, overtime –
hourly rate X 130% x 130%
Scheduled Rest day, overtime – hourly rate
X 150% x 130%
Regular Holiday, overtime – hourly rate X
200% x 130%
When workers have to do overtime on special
days, rest days, regular holidays, etc. then the
overtime rate is:
15. Night Shifts: The Labor Code specifies an
added payment for employees working the
night shift. The Night Shift Differential is
given to employees working a shift between
10 PM to 6 AM. They are entitled to a 10%
additional payment for each hour worked
during the night shift.
16. Right to Weekly Rest Day. Employees a right to a weekly rest period of
not less than 24 consecutive hours after every 6 consecutive normal
work days.
Right to Holiday Pay. An employee shall be paid his regular daily wage
during regular holidays, except in retail and service establishment
regularly employing less than 10 workers.
Right to Seperation Pay. Employees dismissed from work due to
business closure, reduction of costs or other reasons that are beyond
their control.
17. There are two types of termination in
the Philippines: termination by
employer and voluntary resignation or
termination by employee. Termination
of employment in the Philippines can be
a complex process for employers since
the Labor Code is constructed in favor
of employees.
I. Types of Employment Termination
18. Employees can file a complaint for
illegal dismissal before the National
Labor Relations Commission (NLRC)
if the cause for their termination
does not fall under the conditions
stipulated by the Labor Code. In
cases of illegal dismissal, the
employer has the duty of proving
the dismissal is valid.
19. Employees who are unjustly dismissed are entitled to any or all of the
following:
reinstatement without loss of seniority rights
separation pay equivalent to one (1) month salary for every year of
service if reinstatement cannot be provided.
full back wages, inclusive of allowances and other benefits of their
monetary equivalent from the time compensation was withheld up to
the time of of reinstatement.
payment of damages and/or attorney's fees (if the dismissal was done
in bad faith)
20. PUBLIC SECTOR UNION or PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' ORGANIZATION
which refers to any organization, union, or association of employees in
the agencies of government which exists in whole or in part for the
purpose of collective negotiations or mutual aid, interests, cooperation
and protection.
PRIVATE SECTOR UNION or LABOR ORGANIZATION refers to any
union or associationof employees in the private sector which exist in
whole or in part for the purpose of collective bargaining or mutual aid,
interest, cooperation, protection or other lawful purposes.
21. A labor union is an organization formed by workers in a particular
trade, industry, or company for the purpose of improving pay,
benefits, and working conditions. Officially known as a “labor
organization,” and also called a “trade union” or a “workers union,” a
labor union selects representatives to negotiate with employers in a
process known as collective bargaining.
Collective bargaining is the heart and soul of the labor union.