Forced to buy at the company store? Art. 112

Check yourself

Your employer says all staff must buy lunch from the company's canteen, ₱500 a month, taken from your pay. Is that okay?

Answer: Art. 112 says no employer shall limit or interfere with your freedom to dispose of your wages. The employer shall not force, compel or oblige you to purchase merchandise from any person, or to use any store or services of such employer.

Then check Art. 113: deductions are allowed only in listed cases. A forced canteen charge has to pass both.

Bonus question

Pwede bang mag-require ng deposit for tools, in case masira? Art. 114: no, except in trades where that practice is recognized, or where the Secretary of Labor determines it necessary or desirable.

⚠️ Tandaan

Buying at the canteen by your own choice is fine. The problem is being forced. Keep the memo, or a screenshot of the instruction, and your payslip.

I-check

• ☐ Was the purchase your choice?
• ☐ Any line for it on your payslip?
• ☐ Keep the memo or message
• ☐ Ask HR in writing

Demand letter, handa na, kung kailangan ibalik ang bawas 👇

Basis: P.D. 442 (Labor Code), Arts. 112, 113 and 114.