Robredo hits gov’t for scrapping 3 holidays in 2021

Vice President Leni Robredo criticized the Duterte government on Sunday, February 28, for its decision to change 3 holidays in 2021 into “special working days.”

In her weekly radio show, Robredo said this change has implications for Filipino workers. She explained that employees would only get regular pay when working during a special working day, instead of getting additional pay during regular or non-working holidays.

She then hit the government’s explanation that this change would boost the economy’s reopening. 

“Maraming mga paraan pero – pero parang bakit ito ang nakita? Bakit ito ang nakitang paraan para mabuksan ang ekonomiya,” asked the Vice President. (There are so many ways, but why did they settle with this? Why did they see this as the way to help reopen the economy?)

President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday, February 26, signed a proclamation declaring All Souls’ Day (November 2), Christmas Eve (December 24), and the last day of the year (December 31) as special working days. This amended his earlier proclamation containing the list of holidays for 2021, where these 3 days were originally special non-working holidays. 

In the amended proclamation, the government explained this move is needed “to encourage economic productivity by, among others, minimizing work disruption” to help the country “recover from the adverse economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

On special working days, “there is no more premium or additional compensation for working on those days,” said the Labor Department.

Robredo on Sunday likewise reasoned that long holidays give workers the chance to return to their home provinces, be together with their families, as well as get a vacation.

“Tingin ko, Ka Ely, ito ang makakadagdag sa ekonomiya,” argued Robredo. (I think this is the one that would help the economy.) – Rappler.com