Browse through brief employment and labor law updates from around the globe. Contact a Littler attorney for more information or view our global locations.

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Payment of Wages and Monetary Benefits through Transaction Accounts

New Regulation or Official Guidance

Author: Emerico O. de Guzman, Managing Partner – Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALAW)

On August 3, 2020, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) issued Labor Advisory No. 26, which provides guidelines on payment of wages and monetary benefits through transaction accounts, afford employees access to formal financial services, reduce the costs and risks of physical cash disbursements, and promote digital payments as a safer alternative to physical exchange of bills and coins. Employers in the private sector are highly encouraged to explore several initiatives in support thereof, such as (1) assisting employees in opening transaction accounts; (2) providing employees who have existing transaction accounts the option to receive their wages and benefits therein; and (3) ensuring that usage of such transaction accounts do not result in diminution of wages.

Supplemental Guidelines on Workplace Prevention and Control of COVID-19

New Regulation or Official Guidance

Author: Emerico O. de Guzman, Managing Partner – Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALAW)

To supplement previous guidelines on the same issue, on August 14, 2020, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) issued further guidelines on COVID-19 workplace prevention and control. The new agency guidelines address health and safety concerns on possible COVID-19 transmission in the workplace. In particular, the guidelines cover rules on workplace safety and health, contact reduction, testing, management of cases, notification and reporting, disinfection and closure of buildings/workplaces, leave of absences, and compliance monitoring and enforcement.