DOLE orders Jollibee to regularize workers in 9 branches in MIMAROPA

By Samuel Medenilla, Manila Bulletin, Dec 25, 2017

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has ordered fast-food giant Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC) to regularize around 500 workers in its nine branches in MIMAROPA region.

Based from the results of their labor inspections, DOLE Regional Office 4B director Alvin Villamor said they found out the said branches are practicing labor-only contracting.

Villamor issued a compliance order to JFC to regularize the 468 workers from its three contractors in MIMAROPA since they “are performing activities which are directly related to the main business operation of the food chain.”

“The principal also exercises full authority in the performance of work of the outsourced employees,” Villamor said in his order.

Villamor said JFC should immediately issue appointment letters and payroll reflecting the entitlements of the affected workers as regular employees.

Aside from illegal contractualization, Villamor said the three contractors also lacked the necessary capital and violated Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Standards.

In his order, Villamor also required the contractors to reimburse P775,050 worth of unauthorized deductions to the affected employees and provide proof of remittances with the Social Security System, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and Pag-Ibig Fund.

The compliance order would cover the following JFC branches: three in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan; five in Oriental Mindoro; and one in Romblon.

JFC is currently one of the country’s largest fast food chains with 750 stores nationwide.