The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has mandated higher compensation for private sector employees who will be reporting for work this coming Monday, December 8, 2025. The date has been declared a special non-working holiday nationwide in observance of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, the principal patroness of the Philippines.
DOLE Guidelines for Holiday Pay Rates
In its Labor Advisory No. 17, DOLE outlined the specific pay rules for the upcoming special day. Employees who work on December 8 are entitled to receive 130 percent of their basic wage for the first eight hours of work. The calculation is straightforward: Basic wage multiplied by 130%.
For workers who do not report for duty, the general "no work, no pay" principle will apply. However, this rule may be overridden if their company has an existing policy that provides payment for special non-working days.
Overtime and Rest Day Premiums Explained
The advisory also clarifies the compensation for overtime work. Employees who render work beyond the regular eight hours are entitled to an additional 30 percent of their hourly rate on top of the holiday pay for those extra hours.
A higher premium applies if the special holiday coincides with an employee's scheduled rest day. In such cases, the worker is entitled to 150 percent of their basic wage for the first eight hours (Basic wage x 150%).
If overtime is performed on this rest day that is also a holiday, the pay rate becomes even more complex. The calculation will be: Hourly rate x 150% x 130% x number of hours worked. This layered computation ensures proper compensation for the multiple premium conditions.
Legal Basis for the Holiday
The declaration of December 8 as a special non-working holiday is rooted in Republic Act 10966, which was signed into law on December 28, 2017. This law formalizes the national observance of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a significant religious event for the predominantly Catholic nation.
The DOLE's timely release of the labor advisory serves as a crucial reminder for both employers and employees across the Philippines. It ensures that workers are fairly compensated for their service during the holiday, while also helping businesses comply with national labor regulations and avoid potential disputes.
