MANILA CITY, Philippines— quick service restaurant giant, Golden Arches Development Corporation (McDonald’s Philippines) strengthens its commitment in being a responsible employer as the company signs an agreement with Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno of the Manila City government to employ eligible senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in at least 40 of its stores in Manila.
Recognizing the potential of every Filipino to contribute, and be productive members of society, McDonald’s Philippines will soon be hiring at least 80 senior citizens and 40 persons with disability across the company’s stores in the country’s capital.
“McDonald’s Philippines has been a responsible employer since we opened our first store here in Manila in 1981. We usher our 38th founding anniversary this September, by inking this partnership with the City of Manila as we commit to provide more employment opportunities which aim to integrate senior citizens and hearing-impaired Manileños into the workforce,” says Kenneth Yang, President and CEO of McDonald’s Philippines.
Reinforcing responsible and equal employment
The partnership between McDonald’s and the Manila city government will provide senior citizens and PWDs the opportunity to earn and at the same time to learn and develop new skills as they experience the same world class training which the company has provided its directly hired employees.
Qualified applicants will undergo a training program approved by the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) of Manila, and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). Hired senior citizens and PWDs will be assigned to perform tasks complementing those of existing crew members which includes being an order presenter, drink drawer, table manager and overall guest relations.
Under the agreement, senior citizens will be assigned work for not more than four hours per day for five days a week, with shifts set at 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Meanwhile, PWDs will perform work in shifts also applied to regular crew members, but not to exceed eight hours a day.
“We are excited to have more senior citizens and PWDs assist in serving our customers. We currently have over 30 employed in different restaurants in the country. We have seen their potential, capabilities and commitment in providing great customer service. As we welcome our Manileño senior citizens and PWDs, we look forward to grow the alternative workforce and roll it out to more cities,” Yang added.
Championing growth and development of Filipinos
The company has championed fair and equal employment and have allowed growth and development opportunities for Filipinos since its establishment in the Philippines in 1981, starting with its direct hiring policy or the non-practice of contractualization for all its restaurant employees.
McDonald’s Philippines then set is sights to forge stronger partnerships with the Department of Labor and Employment and PESO for “Special Program for Employment of Students” or “SPES” and have had over 800 students and out-of-school youth benefit from the program; 250 of which were absorbed and became regular McDonald’s employees.
The company is also supportive of the “Work Immersion Program,” in partnership with private and public Senior High Schools (SHS), where SHS students are able to immerse themselves in McDonald’s stores and head office to learn more about restaurant operations and gain firsthand experience and knowledge in the industry. Since starting the program in the city of Manila, over 160 Senior High Students have learned and gained experience in the field of food and beverage.
“The success of our people is our success. We are committed in their training and development to ensure their growth in the company and as individuals.” Yang closes.
Today, 50% of the management team of McDonald’s Philippines started as crew members, reinforcing that more than employment, the company provides growth opportunities to its employees.
