🍽️ The minimum: 2,750 calories a day
"The food provided to the worker must contain the essential nutrients the body needs from proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals, such that the calorie count is not less than... 2,750 calories." And: "The worker is provided three meals a day."
🚫 It cannot be swapped for cash
"The worker may not be charged any financial burden for these meals; they are considered part of their wage." And: "Providing the meals may not be waived in exchange for any cash allowance."
Even if your employer offers a cash "food allowance" instead of actual meals and you agree, this does not waive your right — the regulation explicitly bans this substitution, regardless of both parties' agreement.
🧑🍳 Health and safety responsibility
"The employer is responsible for providing health conditions and general hygiene in the places of storage, preparation, cooking, handling, and serving of food." Workers preparing food must hold health certificates proving they are free of contagious diseases.
- Regulation on Worker Housing and Camp Conditions — Article 6: meal standards and the minimum calorie count