Baguio City- The management of Food Panda told the Baguio City Council during the June 24 regular session that the company is looking into the concerns raised earlier by the riders.
Chelsea Hill, the company’s Corporate and Government Affairs Manager, said that after reviewing the riders’ complaints, they plan to develop improved projects and programs to benefit the riders, whom they regard as their independent workers.
In May 2024, a number of Food Panda riders in the city staged a “tigil byahe” or temporary halt of delivery operations to demand fair pay, just benefits, and better working conditions from the management.
The riders’ strike drew the attention of the city council, which conducted a dialogue with them during the May 27 regular session. Representatives of the company failed to attend because the invitation had been sent to their previous address.
Food Panda riders, represented by John Jay Chan, Jose Conseho, and Leonard Payoyo, raised concerns on the company’s lack of a physical office and business permit in the city, making it difficult to address accidents or complaints promptly.
They also mentioned non-compliance with labor regulations, such as failing to provide personal protective equipment and fair contract terms, and the misclassification of riders as independent contractors to avoid providing benefits. Furthermore, they criticized the content of the riders’ contracts, pointing out that it lacks clarity on the fare matrix for calculating earnings, resulting in low and unjust compensation. Sangguniang Panlungsod Ng Baguio Release
