Regional director Ponciano Ligutom of the Department of Labor and Employment yester day said he is encouraging workers to file complaints at any DOLE office if their employers refuse to pay their 13 th month pay.

Ligutom said they had been reminding employers of their responsibilities to their workers, so DOLE does not want to keep calling their attention, but will take action if it's proven that they are not giving the bonus to their workers.

“Workers can file the complaint and we will immediately conduct an inspection,” Liguton said.

In Negros Occidental, DOLE provincial director Ma. Victoria Mondragon said in an interview with the ABS-CBN, that they have already received complaints about the non payment and underpayment of the 13 th month pay.

Mondragon said they have instructed their complaint inspection department to check and evaluate the statements of the workers, adding that, effective this month, they will conduct their routine inspection on all companies in Negros Occidental.

She also said that all employees, regular or contractual, should receive the 13 th month pay except those earning on commission basis. The payment must be given on or before Dec. 24, she added.

Mondragon also said many companies already gave the bonuses in the middle of the year, with the other half given in December. *LTG

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