Final Pay in the Philippines: Your Rights

Leaving a job — resignation, end of contract or termination — triggers clear obligations for your employer under DOLE Labor Advisory No. 06-20.

What final pay must include

• Unpaid salary for days already worked
• Prorated 13th month pay
• Cash conversion of unused Service Incentive Leave (min. 5 days/year) and convertible company leaves
• Separation pay, when the cause of separation requires it
• Retirement pay, deposits or bonds due for return, and other amounts per contract or policy

The 30-day deadline

Final pay must be released within 30 days from the date of separation, unless a company policy or agreement provides an earlier date. "Clearance" processes cannot be used to delay payment indefinitely.

Certificate of Employment

Separately, your employer must issue a Certificate of Employment within 3 days of your request — it cannot be withheld pending clearance.

Employer won't pay?

File a Request for Assistance under SEnA (Single Entry Approach) at any DOLE office — free, fast conciliation within 30 days, and most final-pay disputes settle there. Estimate what you're owed first: Final Pay Calculator →