Jollibee Foods Corp. (JFC) on Wednesday said it would appeal the order of the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) to regularize nearly 6,500 of its workers.
“We have received the order from Dole and we’re following the process Dole prescribed to appeal this order”” JFC said in a statement.
In an earlier statement, the Dole said that its National Capital Region director, Henry John Jalbuena, had ordered JFC to regularize 6,482 workers deployed by its two contractors.
READ: DOLE orders Jollibee to regularize about 6,500 workers
Under Dole Department Order No. 174, JFC may appeal the decision to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III within 10 working days from receipt of the copy of the order.
The appeal would be filed with the regional office that issued the cancellation order.
Bello’s office would then have 30 working days from receipt of the records of the case to resolve the appeal.
Once Bello decides on the case, the decision will be “final and executory” 10 days from its receipt by the parties.
“No motion for reconsideration of the decision shall be entertained.” the order said.
Aside from being ordered to regularize its workers, the fast food giant was also directed 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.”
Dole also ordered five of JFC’s contractors 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 fast food giant maintained that it had complied with the law and the Dole order on contracting arrangments.
“JFC remains committed to complying with the law and DO 174, which allow contracting arrangements with legitimate service providers,” JFC said, adding that it only deals with “reputable service contractors” duly accredited and registered with the Dole.
“In compliance with regulations, we only deal with reputable service contractors that have ben duly accredited and registered with Dole. We have been cooperating and will continue to cooperate with Dole,” it added. /atm