The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has issued a reminder to employers regarding the proper payment of wages during the upcoming holidays in April. The advisory comes ahead of five significant holidays in the month.
In Labor Advisory No. 04, series of 2025, signed by Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, DOLE outlined the rules governing holiday pay for both regular and special non-working days.
The holidays affected by these regulations include regular holidays on April 1, in observance of Eid’l-Fitr, April 9 for Araw ng Kagitingan, and April 17 and 18 for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. April 19, Black Saturday, is also a special non-working holiday.
Regular Holiday Pay
For regular holidays, the following guidelines apply:
Non-working Employees: If an employee does not work on a regular holiday, the employer is required to pay 100% of the employee’s wage for that day, provided the employee either reports to work or is on paid leave on the day immediately preceding the holiday.
Employee Rest Day: If the day before the regular holiday is a rest day or non-working day for the employee, the employee is still entitled to holiday pay, provided they report to work or are on paid leave on the preceding workday.
Work on Regular Holidays: If an employee works on a regular holiday, they are entitled to 200% of their basic wage for the first eight hours of work.
Excess Work on Regular Holidays: For work done beyond eight hours, the employer is required to pay an additional 30% of the hourly rate, calculated from the basic wage at 200%.
Rest Day on Regular Holidays: If the regular holiday falls on an employee’s rest day, the employer must pay an additional 30% on top of the 200% wage rate for that day.
Excess Work on Rest Day during Regular Holidays: For work beyond eight hours on a regular holiday that falls on an employee’s rest day, an additional 30% of the hourly rate must be paid, based on the 200% wage rate.
Special Non-Working Day Pay
For the special non-working holiday on April 19 (Black Saturday), the following rules apply:
Non-working Employees: If an employee does not work on a special non-working day, the “no work, no pay” policy will apply, unless a company policy, practice, or collective bargaining agreement (CBA) provides for payment on such days.
Work on Special Non-Working Days: For work performed during a special non-working day, the employer is required to pay 130% of the basic wage for the first eight hours.
Excess Work on Special Non-Working Days: For work done beyond eight hours on a special non-working day, the employer must pay an additional 30% of the hourly rate, calculated from the basic wage at 130%.
Rest Day on Special Non-Working Days: If the special non-working day falls on an employee’s rest day, the employer must pay 150% of the basic wage for the first eight hours of work.
Excess Work on Rest Day during Special Non-Working Days: For work beyond eight hours on a special non-working holiday that coincides with an employee’s rest day, the employer must pay an additional 30% of the hourly rate, based on the 150% wage rate.
DOLE’s reminder seeks to ensure that workers receive the correct compensation for their labor during the upcoming holidays, reinforcing compliance with the Labor Code.
