The labor group Defend Jobs Philippines wants President Rodrigo Duterte to withdraw his proclamation converting three holidays into special non-working days.
Defend Jobs spokesperson Christian Lloyd Magsoy told TeleRadyo that small workers will be affected by such a policy.
The Palace had earlier announced that there would be work on November 2, All Souls’ Day; December 24, Christmas Eve; and December 31, New Year’s Eve, to supposedly help boost the economy.
But Magsoy said this is a big loss to the minimum wage earners because if the workers had entered those dates they would have received an additional 30 percent in salary.
“Thirty percent, katumbas ‘yan ng P160 na mawawala sa kada minimum wage earner, kahit sa ibang manggagawa natin na papasok that day, so ano na rin ‘yun, pang-ulam na rin ‘yun, pangbigas na rin ‘yun eh, mawawala, tatanggalin mo pa sa kanila,” said Magsoy.
The Palace clarified that Duterte’s decision could still change.
Vice President Leni Robredo also opposed the decision to make Nov. 2, All Souls’ Day, Dec, 24, Christmas Eve, and Dec. 31, New Year’s Eve as special working days.
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“It could have big implications because you will pay the workers more if they work on a regular holiday,” she pointed out.
“There are many ways to reopen the economy. First of all, if the vacation is longer, the workers will have the opportunity to go home and spend time with their families, that I think could help the economy more,” Robredo added.
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said special working days mean “there is no more premium or additional compensation for working on those days.”
Meanwhile, the regular holidays are:
January 1, 2021, Friday – New Year’s Day
April 1, 2021, Maundy Thursday
April 2, 2021, Good Friday
April 9, 2021, Friday – Araw ng Kagitingan
May 1, 2021, Saturday – Labor Day
June 12, 2021, Saturday – Independence Day
August 30, 2021, last Monday of August – National Heroes’ Day
November 30, 2021, Tuesday – Bonifacio Day
December 25, 2021, Saturday – Christmas Day
December 30, 2021, Thursday – Rizal Day