MARCOS OKAYS 7K GRATUITY PAY FOR CONTRACT, JOB ORDER WORKERS IN GOV’T

RECOGNIZING the hard work of every government worker in the country, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has approved the release of a one-time gratuity pay for Contract of Service (COS) and Job Order (JO) workers in government this year.

Under Administrative Order No. 39, signed on December 11, COS and JO employees who have rendered a total or an aggregate of at least four months of actual satisfactory service performance as of December 15 and whose contracts remain in effect on the same date are entitled to a gratuity pay not exceeding P7,000.

“Granting a year-end Gratuity Pay to COS and JO workers is a well-deserved recognition of their hard work and valuable participation in the implementation of various programs, activities, and projects (PAPs) of the government, and their pivotal role in the delivery of government services amidst the present socio-economic challenges,” the AO stated.

The order noted that while COS and JO workers are paid salaries equivalent to those received by personnel occupying comparable positions in government, they do not enjoy the benefits accorded to regular government employees such as mid-year and year-end bonuses, performance-based bonus and personnel economic relief allowance.

Employees who have rendered less than four months of satisfactory service may still receive the gratuity pay on a pro-rata basis.

Workers with three months but less than four months of service will receive gratuity pay not exceeding P6,000. Employees with two months but less than three months service will get gratuity pay not exceeding P5,000 while those with less than two months service will receive a pay not exceeding P4,000.

The order covers workers in national government agencies, state universities and colleges (SUCs), government-owned or-controlled corporations (GOCCs) and local water districts (LWDs).

The payment of gratuity pay shall be made not earlier than December 15.

The AO will take effect immediately following its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.