DoLE orders regularization of over 7,000 workers under Jollibee group

The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) has ordered regular employment status for more than 7,000 workers of Jollibee Foods Corp. (JFC) contractors and refund nearly P20 million in “illegal payment collections” to affected employees as part of an ongoing check on quick service restaurants.
In a statement on Wednesday, April 4, DoLE cited a report to Undersecretary Joel B. Maglunsod by National Capital Region Director Henry John S. Jalbuena that the latter has ordered JFC “to regularize 6,482 workers” as well as 704 others employed by contractors operating branches of Burger King, which is one of the brands under the same company.
Aside from providing regular employment status to the workers, DoLE also ordered JFC “to return unlawful wage deductions, bonds, donations, shares and other illegal payment collections” totalling some P19.569 million.
In a statement issued Wednesday, JFC said it received the order from the Labor department and that it intends to cooperate with the agency.
“JFC remains committed to complying with the law and DO 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. We have been cooperating and will continue to cooperate with DOLE,” the company said.