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Don’t Tax Workers’ Overtime Pay
Thursday, December 12, 2019
Don’t Tax Workers’ Overtime Pay

Ralph Recto, Senate President pro tempore of the Philippines, in Usapang Barako (Bar Talk), Abante (December 10, 2019)

Summary by Alejandro Reyes

Don’t Tax Workers’ Overtime Pay

December is the busiest time for Filipino workers. There is still a lot of work to be done before the holidays. Employees are likely to claim a lot of overtime. With our hard-working workers in mind, we have filed a bill to eliminate the tax on overtime pay. If this bill becomes law, it will benefit 26.7 people in both the public and private sectors.

While the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) does not support this bill because it would collect fewer taxes. But this money will not disappear. The extra cash goes into the pockets of works who will use it to purchase goods and service. This will stimulate consumption, boost the economy and eventually result in greater revenue for the government.

To be honest, nobody wants to work overtime. The administration is implementing new taxes on alcohol, cigarettes, sugared drinks and more. So, let us ensure that employees fully enjoy the benefits of their overtime pay. This would be an early Christmas present to hard-working Filipino workers.