Philippines declares October 31 a 'special non-working holiday'

What are employers' legal duties and responsibilities to their teams?

Philippines declares October 31 a 'special non-working holiday'

The Philippines has declared October 31 a special non-working holiday. Under the Philippine Labor Code's Chapter III, Article 94, wage rules for special non-working holidays entail a "no work, no pay" policy for employees, unless a company policy, practice, or a collective bargaining agreement is already in effect.

For work done on the day, employees should be paid an additional 30% of their basic wage for the first eight hours. For overtime work, employees should be paid an additional 30% of their hourly rate on the day.

Read more: Philippines pushes to ban unfair employee contracts

If they work on the special day, which also happens to fall on their day off, they shall be paid an additional 50% of their basic wage for the first eight hours. For overtime work, they need to be paid an additional 30% of their hourly rate.

The Philippine government said it declared October 31 as a special non-working holiday to "strengthen family ties and promote domestic tourism."

"The Department of Labor and Employment is hereby directed to issue the appropriate circular to implement this Proclamation for the private sector," Proclamation No. 79 said.

The declaration opens a long weekend for employees, given that October 31 is a Monday, and will be followed by another special non-working holiday on November 1, or All Saints' Day.

Read more: Philippines seeks to address incentive issues in WFH models

November 2, or All Souls' Day, is a special working holiday. This means that offices and classes will be open, and no additional pay will be entailed for workers who report to work. Another incoming special non-working holiday in the Philippines is Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary on December 8.

For 2023, the Philippines government declared the following dates as special non-working holidays:

  • Feb. 25 (Saturday) - EDSA People Power Revolution Anniversary
  • April 8 - Black Saturday
  • Aug. 21 (Monday) - Ninoy Aquino Day
  • Nov. 1 (Wednesday) - All Saints' Day
  • Nov. 2 (Thursday) - All Souls' Day
  • Dec. 8 (Friday) - Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary
  • Dec. 31 (Sunday) - Last Day of the Year

Recent articles & video

Can a worker be employed by two companies for the same services?

Singapore's workforce ready for upcoming changes from AI: survey

Toshiba to lay off 5,000 employees in Japan: reports

Mercado Libre to hire about 18,000 people: reports

Most Read Articles

Singapore employers mandated to consider requests for flexi-work

Novartis to cut over 600 jobs amid global restructuring

Singapore hikes qualifying salaries amid foreign-local talent competition: report