May 1 2013 Philippine Labor Day Holiday
Filipinos nationwide will mark the annual celebration of Labor Day this coming May 1, which falls on a Wednesday. The day is listed as one of the country’s 15 national holidays for 2013 as indicated in Proclamation 459, which President Benigno Aquino III signed late last year.
Under the Holiday Economics scheme of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (outlined through Republic Act 9492), non-working days which fall on Wednesdays can be moved to the nearest Monday, provided that an announcement to this effect has been made six months in advance.
Aquino has largely ignored his predecessor’s policy, mainly in response to observations by business groups like the American Chamber of Commerce and Industries (AmCham) that the Philippines has “excessive” number of holidays compared to other nations. Read AmCham’s 2012 policy brief regarding this here. In other words, Aquino, just like last year, is not likely to move the May 1 holiday to April 29.
According to the Labor Department’s Handbook on Workers’ Statutory Monetary Benefits (2012 edition), employees are entitled to get “at least 100% of his/her minimum wage rate even if he/she did not report for work” during regular holidays.
Meanwhile, those who work during national holidays will get 200% of their regular rate for every hour of service rendered. However, employees are required to be present or should on leave of absence with pay on the work day immediately preceding the holiday for them to get a holiday premium.
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