JO, contractual workers’ 13th-month pay pushed

Senator Mark Villar filed a measure for the provision of 13th-month pay to all government workers regardless of rendered services as he stressed that even contractual workers and job order personnel have crucial roles in the government.

Villar authored Senate Bill 1528 or the 13th Month Pay Law for Contractual and Job order Personnel, granting the government’s Jo and contractual workers similar benefits to permanent government employees.

“They fulfill their duties diligently and passionately comparable to permanent government employees. Notwithstanding, they are not entitled to mid-year and year-end bonuses, such as the 13th-month pay, among other benefits,” Villar said.

At the time of his tenure as a Cabinet member during the Duterte administration, the lawmaker cited that only the regular or permanent government employees are receiving mid-year and year-end-bonuses.

“During my tenure as DPWH Secretary, I have seen the government employees’ need for this benefit. Now as a senator, I have proposed a bill that gives a mandatory 13th-month pay to our national and local government workers,” Villar said.

If enacted into law, the proposed measure will see to it that the government will be mandated the payment of 13th-month pay to all employees regardless of their employment status. Whether contractual or job order personnel shall be entitled to 13th-month pay every year.

“In light of the persistent rise in the inflation rate, which led to an extraordinary increase in prices of food, fuel, and other commodities, Filipino workers, including contractual and job order personnel of the government face greater hardships in their lives. Contractual and job order personnel lack security of tenure,” Villar said.

The minimum amount available for contractual and job order personnel shall not be less than one-half of the monthly salary of the employees based on their current contract with the government.

The senator stressed that the proposed measure must be prioritized as recognition to government employees who have been working hard to provide for the needs of their fellow Filipinos.

“Passing such a proposal should be a priority while there is still time left. This is our way of recognizing their notable contribution and their service to the government. This is our appreciation for their hard work, and sacrifice and for ensuring that the government is able to provide programs to our people throughout the year,” Villar said.