ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Labor Department eases workers’ worries in times of weather disturbances and similar occurrences.

This was made clear in Labor Advisory No. 16 Series of 2022 which Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma signed on August 23, 2022.

Atty. Roy L. Buenafe, DOLE 9 Regional Director explained that the advisory is pursuant to Article 5 of the Labor Code of the Philippines, as amended, and Republic Act 11508.

“The LA states that employers in the private sector may suspend work to ensure the safety and health of their employees especially since the Philippines had its share of abundant rainfalls and strong typhoons throughout the year,” he said.

When asked about the payment of wages, Buenafe said that workers who report to the office or workplace despite heavy rainfall or storms, are entitled to full regular pay provided that he has worked for not less than six hours.

“If the employee worked less than six hours, they will be entitled only to the proportionate amount of the regular pay,” he continued.

For employees who opted to stay home and not work on that day, they will not be entitled to regular pay except when there is a favorable company policy or practice.
“The employee may also be allowed to use leave credits.

We encourage employers to provide extra incentives or benefits to employees who reported to work on the said days,” Buenafe said.

More importantly, workers who fail or refuse to work because of the potential dangers of weather disturbances should not be subjected to any administrative sanction.

Download a copy of the Labor Advisory at www.dole9portal.com. (KCG)