With just 16 days before Christmas Day, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Wednesday reminded anew private sector employers to give the 13th month pay to their workers.

DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III said companies have until December 24 to give the 13th month compensation.

“I would like to remind employers to pay the 13th month pay of their workers on or before December 24,” he said in a virtual forum.

Bello said private sector employees who have been working in the company for over a month are entitled to the payment.

“An employee, regardless of status and has served his/her employer for a month, is entitled to a 13th month pay,” he said.

He added that if the employers have yet to give the 13th month pay, they still have over two weeks to pay their workers.

“Please don’t forget to pay your employees’ 13th month pay,” he added.

Under Presidential Decree 851, all employers are mandated to pay the 13th month pay on or before December 24.

The 13th month pay required by law shall not be less than one-twelfth of the total basic salary earned by an employee within a calendar year. (PNA)