Business process outsourcing (BPO) workers in Cebu filed a complaint before the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) against several companies accused of violating occupational safety and health standards after allegedly forcing employees to return to work following the deadly 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck the province.
An independent workers’ association, BPO Industry Employees’ Network (BIEN-Cebu), said it received hundreds of reports from employees whose companies disregarded safety protocols and imposed sanctions on workers who refused to immediately resume work.
“Maayong buntag! Naa nami karon sa DOLE Regional Office 7 para ireklamo ang mga reckless ug negligent nga BPO companies,” the group said in a statement on Thursday morning.
(Good morning! We are now at DOLE Regional Office 7 to complain about the reckless and negligent BPO companies.)
Spokesperson of BIEN-Cebu, John Kyle Enero, said in its statement, the group condemned companies that allegedly forced BPO agents back into offices and call centers even as aftershocks rattled Cebu.
Some employees who chose to prioritize their safety and their families were reportedly penalized with notices to explain (NTEs), loss of incentives, and other administrative sanctions.
“The earthquake that hit Cebu on September 30 only revealed long-standing issues of deregulation and lack of oversight over BPO companies,” BIEN-Cebu said.
The group added that the government’s decision to leave the declaration of “imminent danger” to private companies placed workers at risk.
“If the government can suspend classes due to the need to inspect school buildings, they should also rightfully require BPO companies and their building administrators to provide a detailed inspection and safety report to ensure that resumption of work does not threaten worker safety,” the statement read.
The group also criticized what they described as corporate greed and government neglect, arguing that both parties prioritized business continuity over employee safety.
The group also highlighted how 'BPO hopping' has become a coping mechanism to search for safer and better work environments. However, this practice often strips workers of job security, tenure, and benefits such as retirement pay and service incentive leaves.
"BIEN-Cebu rejects this ‘business-as-usual’ approach of BPO companies and government neglect during this time of crisis," said BIEN-Cebu.
Social media has also been flooded with posts from employees who say their companies ordered them to return to work immediately after the earthquake, despite safety concerns.
