DOLE orders Jollibee to regularize 7,000 workers

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has ordered fast-food giant Jollibee Foods Corp. to regularize more than 7,000 contractual workers in its campaign against illegal labor contractualization.

In a statement on Wednesday, the DOLE said its National Capital Region office has ordered Jollibee Foods to regularize 6,482 workers deployed by its two contractors.

DOLE also issued a compliance order to Burger King to regularize 704 workers deployed by its three contractors.

Jollibee Foods operates the master franchise of the American burger restaurant chain.

In an emailed statement, Jollibee Foods said it will appeal the DOLE order.

"We received the order from DOLE and we're following the process DOLE has prescribed to appeal this order," the company said.

It added that the company "remains committed to complying with the law and DO (Department Order) 174, which allow contracting arrangements with legitimate service providers."

"In compliance with regulations, we only deal with reputable service contractors that have been duly accredited and registered with DOLE," Jollibee Foods added.

The DOLE said apart from providing regular employment status to its workers, Jollibee Foods was also ordered to "refund illegally collected payments to 426 affected workers in the amount of P15,432,305.00 for Coop Share, Coop Christmas Party Paluwagan Fund, and Coop Savings Fund."

"In addition, five of its contractors were also ordered to return unlawful wage deductions, bonds, donations, shares and other illegal payment collections to 412 affected workers with a total amount of P4,137,158.15," the Labor department said.

The DOLE identified Jollibee Foods contractor Citiwide Basic Commodities and Manpower Services Inc. as having a total financial obligation of P1,853,578.00 to 40 workers for refund on cash bond for motorcycle rentals, and unpaid service incentive leaves and holiday pay.

Generation One Resource Service and Multi-Purpose Cooperative was ordered to refund share capital, cooperative shares, membership fees, damayan fund, and compensate the unpaid holiday pay earnings of 287 workers with a total amount of P1,180,363.15, it said.

It added that collected coop shares and uniform costs were also directed returned to 24 workers with a total amount of P440,300 by the Integral Care Formation Service Cooperative while a total of P464,012.00 was ordered to be refunded to 47 workers of Toptrend Service Corp. for motorcycle rentals.
 
The compliance order also directed MetroGuards Security Agency Corporation to return donations and reimburse unpaid holiday pay earnings of 14 workers amounting to P199,905.00, the DOLE said.

Other fast-food chains

The Labor department said it has set schedules for establishment inspection of McDonald's and Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) restaurants to ensure their compliance with labor laws.

"Last month, a mandatory conference was conducted by the DOLE Makati and Pasay Field Offices with the management of Chowking with succeeding dialogues set this month," the DOLE said.

"Another mandatory conference with the management of Mang Inasal foods is also set with the Quezon City Field Office," it added. —KG, GMA News