Prohibiting the Forcing, Compelling, or Obliging of Any Laborer or Other Employee to Purchase Merchandise, etc. under Certain Conditions

January 21, 1916

ACT NO. 2549

AN ACT PROHIBITING IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS THE FORCING, COMPELLING, OR OBLIGING OF ANY LABORER OR OTHER EMPLOYEE TO PURCHASE MERCHANDISE, COMMODITIES, OR PERSONAL PROPERTY UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, AND THE PAYMENT OF THE WAGES OF A LABORER OR EMPLOYEE BY MEANS OF TOKENS OR OBJECTS OTHER THAN LEGAL TENDER CURRENCY OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS

SECTION 1. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation engaged in any business or enterprise in the Philippine Islands in any manner to force, compel, or oblige any laborer or other employee employed by him to purchase merchandise, commodities, or personal property of any kind or nature from such person, firm, or corporation, or from any other person, firm, or corporation, or pay or cause to be paid the wages due a laborer or employee by means of tokens or objects other than legal tender currency of the Philippine Islands, unless payment in objects, other than tokens and their similars, be expressly requested by the laborer or employee.

SECTION 2. Every person violating the provisions of this Act and every member of a firm, and every director or officer of a corporation, who knowingly consents to any violation of this Act or directs the same, shall, for each offense, be punished by a fine of not more than two hundred pesos, or by imprisonment for a period of not more than six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment, in the discretion of the court.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect sixty days after its passage.

Enacted, January 21, 1916.