The labour ministry on Thursday said that 13th salary provisions, when part of a collective agreement, personal contract or company practice, constitute an integral part of an employees salary.
“Hence, the failure to pay 13th salaries to employees constitutes a violation of the law,” the ministry said in a statement.
Additionally, it said that, aside from the rights granted to employees for civil claims to ensure payment, the failure to pay 13th salaries “amounts to a criminal offence, which could lead to the employers prosecution.”
“As per the law, if an employer is convicted, penalties may include imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of up to €15,000, or both,” the labour ministry’s statement said.
Furthermore, it added that court has the authority to award employees the amounts equivalent to the 13th salary that are owed to them.
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