What you need to know about gratuity pay for contractual, job order workers in gov’t

MANILA, Philippines – Two weeks before Christmas, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. approved the release of a P7,000 gratuity pay for contract of service (COS) and job order (JO) workers in government.

In explaining the approval of gratuity pay, Administrative Order (AO) No. 39, signed on Thursday, December 11, said this 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.”

AO 39 also said that the covered workers do not get the same benefits as regular government personnel who get mid-year and year-end bonuses, performance-based bonus, and personnel economic relief allowance.

Which government offices are covered?

AO 39 applies to workers in all national government agencies, state universities and colleges, government-owned or -controlled corporations, and local water districts.

How much will eligible workers get?

COS and JO employees who have rendered a total of at least four months of actual satisfactory service performance as of Monday, December 15, and whose contracts remain in effect on the same date will receive P7,000 gratuity pay.

Those with less than four months of satisfactory service may receive gratuity pay on a pro-rata basis as follows:

• Not exceeding P6,000 for those with three months but less than four months of service
• Not exceeding P5,000 for those with two months but less than three months of service
• Not exceeding P4,000 for those with less than two months of service

AO 39 states that the gratuity pay will be released not earlier than December 15.

Marcos also approved the release of one-time gratuity pay for COS and JO workers in 2024. – Rappler.com