Valenzuela City's W.L. Foods Faces Scrutiny Over Unfair Labor Practices

Picture courtesy of Manila Bulletin

A snack company in Valenzuela City, W.L. Foods Corporation, is under investigation for allegedly implementing a piece-rate pay system without proper authorization and engaging in unfair labor practices. These issues have brought the company under the lens of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Senator Raffy Tulfo.

This investigation was triggered by worker complaints submitted via Raffy Tulfo in Action (RTIA). Senator Tulfo, who is the Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Labor and Employment, collaborated with DOLE for an inspection at W.L. Foods' Valenzuela facility.

During this inspection, DOLE officials found that some workers were receiving a mere ₱400 per day despite being employed over a year and still labeled as casual workers. Others on a piece-rate or "pakyawan" pay system reported having to work 12-hour shifts to earn ₱700 daily. However, W.L. Foods is not listed among the companies authorized by the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) to implement a piece-rate system.

According to DOLE's wage calculations, a 12-hour workday should yield a ₱1,048 daily wage, indicating workers were losing about ₱348 daily in unpaid overtime.

In response, Senator Tulfo instructed DOLE to further probe the company's labor practices and urged W.L. Foods to compensate affected employees with back wages. He also demanded the regularization of long-standing employees working under substandard conditions and low wages.

DOLE has ordered W.L. Foods to halt its piece-rate payment scheme unless it receives the necessary clearance from the NWPC. During a recent Senate consultative session, Tulfo also directly addressed W.L. Foods' legal counsel, urging the company to honor its commitments to the workforce, which the counsel agreed to.

This case highlights the ongoing challenges in ensuring fair labor practices, as authorities work to safeguard workers' rights and enforce compliance with wage regulations. The outcome of this investigation could set a crucial precedent for labor standards across the industry.

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Manila Bulletin 2025-05-30