Philippines issues pay rules for November holidays

The Philippines’ Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has issued guidelines on employee compensation for the November holidays, outlining pay rates for workers who report for duty, work overtime or take their scheduled rest days during the holiday period.

Under Labor Advisory No. 18, Series of 2026, signed by Labour Secretary Francis N. Tolentino on October 12, November 1 (All Saints’ Day) and November 2 (All Souls’ Day) are classified as special non-working days, while November 30 (Bonifacio Day) is a regular holiday.

The advisory follows President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to protect workers’ welfare and ensure they receive the compensation due to them.

Pay rules for November 1 and 2

For All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, the “no work, no pay” principle applies to employees who do not report for work, unless a company policy, established practice or collective bargaining agreement provides otherwise.

Employees who work during the first eight hours of either special non-working day are entitled to 130% of their basic daily wage, including a 30% premium.

For work beyond eight hours, employees must receive an additional 30% premium on their hourly rate for the special non-working day.

When either special non-working day falls on an employee’s scheduled rest day, those who work during the first eight hours are entitled to 150% of their basic daily wage.

Overtime beyond eight hours on a rest-day special non-working day attracts an additional 30% premium on the applicable hourly rate.

Bonifacio Day pay rules

For Bonifacio Day on November 30, employees who do not work are entitled to 100% of their basic daily wage, subject to the applicable eligibility requirements under labour regulations.

Employees who work during the first eight hours of the regular holiday must receive 200% of their basic daily wage, equivalent to double pay.

Overtime beyond eight hours on Bonifacio Day attracts an additional 30% premium on the applicable holiday hourly rate.

If the regular holiday falls on an employee’s scheduled rest day, those who work during the first eight hours are entitled to 260% of their basic daily wage. This comprises the 200% regular holiday rate plus an additional 30% premium.

Overtime beyond eight hours in this situation attracts a further 30% premium on the applicable hourly rate for work performed on a regular holiday that coincides with a rest day.

Through the advisory, DOLE has reiterated the compensation rules employers must follow for work performed during the November holidays, providing guidance on holiday pay, rest-day premiums and overtime compensation.