DOLE Sets Compensation Guidelines for Chinese New Year Holidays

MANILA – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has issued a reminder to both employers and workers regarding the compensation rules applicable during the upcoming Chinese New Year holidays on February 9 and 10, designated as special non-working days through official proclamations.

According to Philippines News Agency, DOLE has detailed the payment structures that employers should follow during these holidays. The advisory underscores the “no work, no pay” principle, except for businesses that have existing policies or collective agreements that provide for holiday pay. For employees who do work on these days, the advisory specifies that they will receive an additional 30 percent of their daily wage for the first eight hours of work.

The department further clarified the overtime pay calculations, stating that any work beyond eight hours on a special non-working day would entail an additional 30 percent of the hourly rate. Additionally, if the work performed coincides with the employee’s rest day, they are entitled to an extra 50 percent of their basic wage for the first eight hours, and for any work beyond eight hours on such a day, an additional 30 percent of the hourly rate applies.

The guidelines follow the issuance of Proclamation 368, series of 2023, and Proclamation 453, series of 2024, by Malacanang, which declare February 9 and February 10 as special non-working days in observance of Chinese New Year. This festival marks the commencement of a new year according to the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar, celebrated widely in the Philippines and other parts of the world.