Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 4) — Malacañang downplayed claims that special working days for 2021 were put in place so employers can avoid granting personnel their holiday pay.
“I think that is speculative,” Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said when asked on these suspicions. “Sinabi na po ng economic team kung ano ang dahilan: bigyan ng pagkakataon na magtrabaho iyong nais magtrabaho matapos sila hindi nakapagtrabaho ng halos isang taon dahil nga sa pandemya.”
[Translation: The economic team has already said before what the reason is: give those unable to work for almost a year because of the pandemic a chance to actually work.]
President Rodrigo Duterte earlier lessened the number of non-working days in a bid to help the economy bounce back from the global health crisis. November 2 (All Souls’ Day), December 24 (Christmas Eve), and December 31 (New Year’s Eve) are now special working days under Proclamation No. 1107.
Roque earlier drew flak from lawmakers and critics alike for defending the chief executive’s move, saying the country had been on “vacation” for so long as it underwent months of lockdown.
