Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz reminded yesterday all employers in the private sector to bear at heart the welfare and protection of Filipino workers not only on May 1, but every day, by paying them the correct wages and benefits.
“The law mandates May 1 as a regular holiday in honor of all Filipino workers. It is but right to observe the pay rules and other general labor standards on this day,” the secretary said.
May 1, a Wednesday, had been affirmed by President Aquino as a regular holiday all over the country by virtue of Proclamation No. 459 he issued on Aug. 16, 2012 “Declaring the Regular Holidays, Special (Non-Working Days), and Special Holiday (for all Schools) for the year 2013.”
Baldoz said this year’s Labor Day celebration is the 111th in Philippine history and is being commemorated in honor of all Filipino workers on the theme, “Manggagawang Pilipino: Handa sa Hamon ng Makabagong Panahon.”
Earlier, the Labor chief had issued Labor Advisory No. 06, Series of 2012, promulgating the implementing guidelines, specifically on the pay rules, that shall apply as mandated by Proclamation No. 459 on the Payment of Wages for the Regular Holidays, Special (Non-working) Days, and Special Holiday (for all schools) for the Year 2013.
 The correct pay rules to observe are as follows: (a) If the holiday falls on an employee’s regular workday — If the day is worked, the employee is entitled to 200 percent of his basic wage on the first eight hours and, for work in excess of eight hours, to an additional 30 percent of his hourly rate on the said day. If un-worked, the employee is entitled to 100 percent of the regular daily rate, provided he was present, or was on leave with pay, on the workday immediately preceding the holiday. (b) If the day is the employee’s rest day — If the day is the employee’s rest day and the day is worked, he is entitled to 260 percent of his daily rate on the first eight hours, plus 30 percent for work in excess of eight hours on the said day. If un-worked, the employee is entitled to only 100 percent of his regular rate, provided he was present, or was on leave with pay, on the workday immediately preceding the holiday. (c) Finally, in case the day immediately preceding the holiday is a non-work day in the establishment, or is the scheduled rest day of the employee, the employee shall not be deemed on leave of absence on that day, in which case he or she shall be entitled to the regular holiday pay.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz appealed yesterday to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, particularly those who are experiencing difficulties because of the implementation of Saudi Labor Law amendments, to take advantage of the Saudi government’s offer of a three-month grace period and correct their status as foreigners in the Kingdom.

Citing a media statement of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, Baldoz said the three-month grace period, which shall end on July 6, is a window of opportunity for OFWs who have violated either the Saudization policy, or Nitaqat, or immigration law, to correct their status and be spared from jail time, fine, or deportation.
“The Philippine Embassy has issued a very useful question and answer (Q&A) brochure which outlines clearly the steps that these OFWs have to take in view of the implementation of the new amendments to Saudi Labor Law,” the labor chief said.
“I urge all affected OFWs in Saudi to read carefully the Q&A. This has been posted in the DoLE Web site,” she added.
She warned that violators of Saudi Labor Law or of Saudi immigration law face the prospect of arrest, jail time, fines and deportation.
In the case of an OFW with a dependent’s visa, the penalty is deportation of himself, the head of the family, as well as penalty for his employer.
“That’s why I urge our OFWs who are under any of the above-mentioned situation to take advantage of the three-month grace period and locate and ask their sponsors to correct their status,” Baldoz appealed.

Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson yesterday said the department will have a busy weekend up to Holy Wednesday working for repair of national roads in Metro Manila.
He added the Department of Public Works and Highways-  National Capital Region Office has scheduled the repair of 14 national road sections from 10 p.m. of March 22 to 27, the last day of work as Filipinos prepare to go deeper into Lenten reflection.
While most of the schools are already on vacation, commuters and motorists may avail themselves of alternate routes to prevent traffic build-up on road sections undergoing repair works.
Included in the repair work schedule is the Nicanor Reyes Street in Sampaloc, Manila, from C. M. Recto to España, under the supervision of North Manila Engineering District Office.
The Quezon City First Engineering District Office will supervise repair works on Quirino Highway (southbound) from Hilltop to Belfast Street (2nd lane); Fairview Avenue (northbound) from Mindanao Extension to Milano Drive (4th lane); Mindanao Avenue (southbound) from Catleya Street to North Avenue (1st lane); Edsa (northbound) from Congressional Avenue to Access Road (5th lane); Edsa (southbound) from Cloverleaf to Oliveros Street (5th lane), and Regalado North Avenue (northbound) from Casmilan V to David Lim International Trading Corp. (2nd lane).
Repair work on highways in Mandaluyong City, particularly on Shaw Boulevard (westbound) between Guerrero Street and Araullo Street (inner lane); Edsa (northbound) beginning at Shaw Boulevard underpass to United Street; and Edsa (southbound) after Libertad Street to Potenciano Hospital will be managed by the First Metro Manila District Engineering Office.
The Second Metro Manila District Engineering Office will work 24/7 for the repair of Makati City portion of Edsa that includes northbound lane after Orense Street to Guadalupe Bridge and southbound lane from Guadalupe Bridge to Bernardino Street while Third Metro Manila District Engineering Office will employ similar work scheme in repair of Caloocan City segment of Edsa that covers the northbound lane from Asuncion Street to General Simon Street (Lane 6) and southbound lane from Benin Street to Urbano Plata Street.
With the Filipinos traditionally spending Holy Week in the provinces, Singson said the DPWH field units have been alerted through the “Lakbay Alalay Program” to ensure safe and efficient travel of the public.