by IUF Asia/Pacific | May 9, 2025 | Food Service Workers, Our Union Our Power
On May 6, 2025, 52 members of the National Food Delivery Riders Union of the Philippines, Dumaguete Foodpanda Chapter—an affiliate of the IUF—won their case against Foodpanda. They successfully proved the existence of an employee-employer relationship, reclaimed their diminished income and benefits, and secured the reinstatement of illegally terminated rider accounts.
This victory comes after nearly a year of relentless efforts by the RIDERS Union, Dumaguete Foodpanda Chapter. Since 2023, they have been campaigning against wage theft and formally filed a labor case in 2024.
Despite the lengthy struggle, their perseverance has paid off. These 52 riders received a ruling from the Labor Arbiter confirming:
- The existence of an employee-employer relationship
- Reinstatement of illegally terminated rider accounts
- Entitlement to employee benefits, including the 13th-month pay, holiday pay, and service incentive leave
- An award of PHP 2 million in unpaid delivery fees
This landmark decision serves as an important milestone for all food delivery riders in fighting for the fair employment and worker protection. Through collective power and union solidarity, what once seemed impossible has become possible.
the National Food Delivery Riders Union of the Philippines, Dumaguete Foodpanda Chapter convened their working meeting.
by IUF Asia/Pacific | May 8, 2025 | Bahasa Indonesia, Food Service Workers, Our Members, Our Union Our Power
Anggota serikat pekerja independen dan pekerja di restoran cepat saji terbesar yang mengkhususkan diri dalam burger panggang, Burger King, menyambut semakin banyaknya pekerjaan permanen di restoran mereka di Indonesia. Kemenangan ini merupakan hasil dari komitmen Serikat Pekerja Mandiri (SPM) Burger King, yang merupakan serikat pekerja anggota Federasi Serikat Pekerja Mandiri Hotel, Restoran, Plaza, Apartemen, Katering, dan Pariwisata (FSPM) yang berafiliasi dengan IUF, dalam mengampanyekan dan mengadvokasikan pekerjaan yang lebih baik dan layak di sektor tersebut.
Didirikan selama pandemi COVID-19 pada bulan Juli 2020, anggota serikat menyadari pentingnya pekerjaan mereka dalam memberi makan orang-orang selama masa pembatasan kegiatan masyarakat, sehingga membuat mereka menjadi pekerja esensial. Kenyataan tentang pentingnya pekerjaan dan keterampilan mereka yang tidak diimbangi dengan upah layak dan tempat kerja yang aman, mendorong mereka membentuk serikat pekerja untuk mulai memperjuangkan hak-hak.
Pendidikan dan pelatihan tentang hak-hak pekerja dan serikat pekerja untuk anggota serikat pekerja Burger King.
Banyaknya pekerjaan tidak tetap, baik harian maupun kontrak, membuat para pekerja mudah di-PHK. Seringkali pekerja restoran dan makanan cepat saji hidup dalam ketidakpastian sementara keluarga mereka bergantung sepenuhnya pada mereka. Seiring dengan pemahaman anggota tentang hak-hak mereka melalui pendidikan dan pelatihan yang diberikan oleh FSPM, serikat pekerja menantang sistem yang umum terjadi di sektor ini dan menjadikan perjuangan untuk pekerjaan permanen sebagai prioritas mereka.
Rapat serikat pekerja Burger King.
Melalui pekerjaan yang terjamin, pekerja dapat memperoleh akses lebih besar terhadap perlindungan kesehatan dan pekerjaan serta hak-hak lainnya seperti cuti hamil yang seharusnya menjadi hak setiap pekerja perempuan.
Pada tahun 2021, setahun setelah didirikan, serikat pekerja memperjuangkan dipekerjakan kembalinya 11 pekerja kontrak yang diputus hubungan kerjanya dengan alasan penjualan dan situasi pandemi. Negosiasi yang digagas serikat pekerja berhasil menghasilkan komitmen bersama dengan manajemen untuk mengembalikan 11 pekerja tersebut untuk bekerja dan bahkan diangkat menjadi pekerja tetap. Apalagi di masa krisis seperti itu, sulit dibayangkan bisa meraih kemenangan seperti ini jika tidak ada serikat pekerja.
Serikat pekerja di Burger King terus menunjukkan komitmen mereka dengan berkampanye untuk lebih banyak lagi pekerjaan permanen. Pada akhir tahun 2023, 20 pekerja harian diangkat menjadi pekerja permanen. Perjuangan serikat pekerja terus berlanjut karena manajemen jaringan makanan cepat saji yang diakui secara global tersebut setuju untuk memiliki satu suara dalam memperbaiki kondisi pekerja di restoran mereka. Kemenangan serikat pekerja lainnya untuk meminimalkan pemutusan hubungan kerja dengan menegosiasikan opsi bagi 4 pemimpin serikat pekerja untuk dipindahkan ke toko lain ketika terjadi penutupan toko pada tahun 2024 menjadi salah satu contohnya. Serikat pekerja semakin menunggu implementasi komitmen selanjutnya.
Serikat pekerja mencapai kesepakatan dengan manajemen.
Keberhasilan yang dicapai oleh serikat Burger King di Indonesia menunjukkan bahwa secara kolektif, melalui serikat, pekerjaan yang lebih baik yang mengarah pada masa depan yang cerah bagi pekerja restoran cepat saji adalah mungkin. Pekerjaan yang lebih baik di mana keterampilan mereka dihormati dan pentingnya mereka diakui.
by IUF Asia/Pacific | May 8, 2025 | English language, Food Service Workers, Our Members, Our Union Our Power
Members of the independent union and workers at one of largest fast-food restaurant specializing in flame-broiled burger, Burger King, are welcoming more and more secure employment at their restaurant in Indonesia. The wins are the result of Burger King union, who is a member union of IUF affiliated-Federation of Hotel, Restaurant, Plaza, Apartment, Catering, and Tourism Workers’ Free Union (FSPM), commitment in campaigning and advocating for a better and decent jobs in the sector.
Established during COVID-19 pandemic in July 2020, union members realized the importance of their job in keeping people fed during the public health restrictions, thus making them essential. The reality of their importance and skills are not compensated with decent wages and safe workplace, encouraged them form a union to begin advancing their rights.
Education and training on workers rights and trade unionism for Burger King union members.
The use of many precarious workers, in daily and contractual arrangements, making these workers being easily to be laid off. Often fast-food and restaurant workers live under uncertainty while their families are relying fully on them. As members understand about their rights through the education and training provided by FSPM, union is challenging the common system in the sector and making permanent employment as their priority.
Burger King union meeting.
Through secure employment, workers can gain more access to health and employment protection and other rights such as maternity leave that is supposed to be the rights of every women worker.
In 2021, the year after their establishment, union fought for the reinstatement of 11 contract workers whose employment were terminated using the reason of sales and pandemic situations. Negotiations initiated by the union had successfully led to a joint commitment with management to get these 11 workers back to work and appointed as permanent. Especially during that time of crisis, it was difficult to imagine to achieve this kind of win when there is no union.
The union at Burger King continuously showing their commitment by campaigning for more and more. In late 2023, another 20 daily workers secured their permanent employment. The union struggle continues as the management of the globally recognized fast-food chain agrees to have one voice to improve the situations of workers at their restaurant. Other union victory to minimize any termination by negotiating option for 4 union leaders to be transferred to another store when then were stores closures in 2024 become the example. More and more, the union is waiting for another implementation of the commitment.
Union secured an agreement with management.
The success achieved by the Burger King union in Indonesia demonstrates that collectively, through union, a better jobs that lead to a better future for fast-food restaurant workers is possible. A better job where their skills are respected and their importance is recognized.
by IUF Asia/Pacific | Apr 17, 2025 | Food Service Workers, Our Union Our Power
On March 3, 2025, barista workers in Chiang Mai sought assistance from the Barista Labor Union regarding unpaid wages that had been delayed for two months. The union took on the case and provided guidance. It was later discovered that, in addition to withholding wages, the employer had been paying a wage lower than the legal requirement.
Later on March 7, the Barista Labor Union, together with the affected workers, submitted complaints to the Provincial Office of Labor Welfare and Protection. The complaints were divided into two cases: the two-month unpaid wages and the claim for compensation for wages that had been paid below the legal standard over the past year.
With assistance from the Barista Union, the workers thoroughly prepared evidence and documentation. As a result, they swiftly received their unpaid wages from the employer—just one day after submitting the complaint.
However, regarding the claim for compensation for wages paid below the legal standard, the employer attempted to negotiate with the workers, despite previously avoiding their concerns. The Barista Labor Union advised the workers to stand firm on their original claim, emphasizing that the compensation sought was their rightful entitlement and not excessive.
The workers stood firm on their demand, and on March 19, the Chiang Mai Provincial Office of Labor Welfare and Protection issued an order requiring the employer to pay the full amount of compensation claimed.
This marks a significant victory for the Chiang Mai Barista Labor Union, showcasing their ability to protect and support workers against wage theft effectively. It also underscores the importance of unions as supportive allies who share resources, knowledge, and empathy—allowing us to take care of one another and tackle injustice better.
The Barista Labor Union of Chiangmai assisted the barista worker in submitting the complaint at the Provincial Office of Labor Welfare and Protection.
Members of the Barista Labor Union of Chiangmai
by IUF Asia/Pacific | Apr 17, 2025 | ภาษาไทย Thai, Food Service Workers, Our Union Our Power
เมื่อวันที่ 3 มีนาคม 2568 มีแรงงานบาริสต้าในจังหวัดเชียงใหม่ เข้าปรึกษาสหภาพแรงงานบาริสต้า กรณีนายจ้างค้างชำระค่าจ้างเป็นเวลา 2 เดือน สหภาพแรงงานบาริสต้ารับเรื่อง และเข้าสู่กระบวนการรับฟังและให้คำปรึกษา ต่อมาพบว่า นอกจากนายจ้างจะค้างค่าจ้างแล้ว ยังจ่ายค่าแรงในอัตราที่ต่ำกว่ากฎหมายกำหนดอีกด้วย
ต่อมาในวันที่ 7 มีนาคม สหภาพแรงงานบาริสต้าและแรงงานดังกล่าวได้เดินทางไปยื่นเรื่องร้องเรียนแก่สำนักงานสวัสดิการและคุ้มครองแรงงานจังหวัดเชียงใหม่ โดยแบ่งออกเป็นสองกรณี ได้แก่ การค้างชำระค่าจ้างสองเดือน และ การเรียกร้องค่าชดเชยค่าแรงที่ต่ำกว่ากฎหมายกำหนด ย้อนหลังหนึ่งปี
ด้วยความพร้อมในการเตรียมตัวด้านหลักฐาน และเอกสารการยื่นคำร้อง จากความช่วยเหลือจากสหภาพแรงงานบาริสต้า ทำให้แรงงานได้รับค่าจ้างค้างชำระจากนายจ้างอย่างรวดเร็ว โดยใช้เวลาเพียง 1 วันหลังจากที่ยื่นเรื่องเท่านั้น
อย่างไรก็ตาม ในการเรียกร้องค่าชดเชยการจ่ายค่าจ้างต่ำกว่าที่กฎหมายกำหนด นายจ้างได้ติดต่อแรงงานเพื่อขอต่อรอง ทั้งที่ก่อนหน้านี้บ่ายเบี่ยงที่จะให้คำตอบแก่แรงงานมาตลอด
สหภาพแรงงานบาริสต้าแนะนำให้แรงงานยืนยันในจำนวนค่าชดเชยที่เรียกร้องไปเพราะถือเป็นสิทธิที่แรงงานพึงได้รับ ไม่ถือว่าเป็นการเรียกร้องเกินกว่าเหตุ แรงงานจึงได้ยืนยันในค่าชดเชยดังเดิม ในวันที่ 19 มีนาคม สำนักงานสวัสดิการและคุ้มครองแรงงานจังหวัดเชียงได้ออกคำสั่งแก่นายจ้างให้จ่ายค่าชดเชยแก่แรงงานตามจำนวนเงินที่เรียกร้องไปทั้งหมด
ถือเป็นชัยชนะที่สำคัญของสหภาพแรงงานบาริสต้าเชียงใหม่ที่สามารถปกป้อง และช่วยเหลือแรงงานจากการถูกขโมยค่าจ้างได้สำเร็จ ย้ำเตือนให้เห็นถึงความสำคัญของสหภาพแรงงานที่เปรียบเสมือนการมีเพื่อนที่คอยช่วยเหลือและแบ่งปันทรัพยากรต่างๆ ความรู้ความเข้าใจ ทำให้เราดูแลกันได้มากขึ้น และรับมือกับความอยุติธรรมได้ดีมากขึ้น
สหภาพแรงงานบาริสต้าเชียงใหม่ช่วยเหลือแรงงานในการยื่นหนังสือร้องเรียนที่สำนักงานสวัสดิการและคุ้มครองแรงงานเชียงใหม่
สมาชิกสหภาพแรงงานบาริสต้าเชียงใหม่
by IUF Asia/Pacific | Feb 4, 2025 | English language, Food Service Workers, Our Union Our Power
On January 21, 2025, IUF Asia/Pacific hosted an exchange visit between the president of the Riders Association of Thailand from all four regions and the National Food Delivery Riders Union (RIDERS-SENTRO-IUF), the union affiliated with IUF in the Philippines. The delegates from Thailand had the opportunity to participate in the union’s launch day in the Bulacan chapter, including their unique motorcycle demonstration ride, or what they call the Unity Ride, in Bulacan.
The launch event for the National Food Delivery Riders Union, Bulacan chapter, started at 9:00 AM. Riders gathered at the meeting point to form the Unity Ride, heading to the union’s launch press conference venue in the afternoon. Today, the riders agreed to take a break from work to fulfill their duties as union members and participate in union activities throughout the day.
The Presidents of Riders’ Associations from Thailand congratulated riders in Bulacan and gave the souvenirs before the Unity Ride.
In the rally, hundreds of riders wore their company’s work uniforms, displayed union flags on their motorbikes, carried signs announcing their stance, and had various messages attached to their food delivery boxes, while honking loudly throughout the city. These motorcycle parades are not protesting as one might think, but rather riders coming together to ride motorcycles. As a passenger in the parade, this reminded me more of a large bike caravan driving long distances together.
The Unity Ride was part of the launch event for the RIDERS Bulacan chapter. This initiative came about because the union had organized the riders in the Bulacan about their rights and laws. The riders in Bulacan then collectively decided to join the union and form the Bulacan chapter, which will help and represent the riders in the area.
More than a hundred riders in Bulacan join the union and the Unity Ride.
The National Food Delivery Riders Union is an organization where riders come together as a union to protect their rights and interests as essential workers. In the organization, the riders democratically elect leaders who represent them. They also collect membership dues from the union riders and use this funding to sustain the organization. For instance, today they used the membership dues to pay for the lunch boxes and snacks for the members who joined the Unity Ride.
The purpose of the solidarity ride is to celebrate the successful formation of the union’s chapter and to raise awareness of the union’s existence among the general public, vendors, local government officials, and other riders who have not yet joined the union.
Once the parade arrived at the launching venue, the members used their food delivery boxes as creative photo backdrops at the opening ceremony. They did a live Facebook broadcast to communicate with riders online. The host introduced union representatives from different cities such as Cebu, Iloilo, and Manila, including the presidents of the Riders Association of Thailand from the northern, the southern, the eastern and the central regions, to congratulate the organization in a lively manner.
The riders creatively use the delivery boxes for the event’s back drop.
Additionally, allied organizations, labor welfare officers, local political candidates campaigning, and provincial governor representatives including also expressed their congratulations. The the IUF Asia/Pacific Regional Secretary, Dr. Hidayat Greenfield, said that the launch of the Bulacan Chapter of RIDERS reaffirms that food delivery riders are workers with the right to join and form unions freely, and reminded the gathering that riders are essential workers whose value and contribution must be recognized through better incomes and safe work.
The exchange between riders from Thailand and the Philippines highlighted the importance of working together for their rights. The event fostered collaboration and empowerment. The Unity Ride and the launch event in Bulacan showed that fighting for change can be fun and creative. The presidents of the Riders Association of Thailand returned home inspired to adapt similar ideas in their organizations and communities.
The local labor officer gave a congratulatory speech to the union, acknowledging the importance of workers’ organization, freedom of association, and the power of collective bargaining.
The members of RIDERS joined the “Stop Exploiting Riders” campaign for the Freedom Riders Union from Thailand.
