The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Central Visayas has issued a Work Stoppage Order (WSO) and a Notice of Conference to two business process outsourcing (BPO) companies in Cebu following an Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) inspection conducted on October 4, days after a strong earthquake struck the region.
The move forms part of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure safe and humane working conditions for all Filipino workers.
According to DOLE Central Visayas, one of the BPO firms was found without an Emergency and Disaster Preparedness and Response Plan under its OSH Program, particularly in relation to natural calamities such as earthquakes. Its Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment, and Control (HIRAC) plan also failed to include disaster-related risks.
Inspectors further discovered inconsistencies in the company’s Safety and Health Committee and noted the absence of a Construction Safety and Health Program for ongoing fit-out construction activities within its premises.
As a result, DOLE issued an order for the company to cease operations until all unsafe conditions are corrected. Affected employees may be allowed to work under alternative or flexible work arrangements during the stoppage period.
Under Department Order No. 252, Series of 2025, or the revised implementing rules of the OSH Law, employers found responsible for violations that lead to a work stoppage are required to pay affected workers their full wages during the suspension of operations.
Failure to comply and submit proof of correction will result in daily penalties of up to ₱100,000, depending on the type and frequency of violations, until full compliance is achieved.
DOLE also urged the building administrator where the BPO firm operates to secure structural safety certification from the proper government authority to ensure the premises remain safe for occupancy.
Meanwhile, another Cebu-based BPO company was served a Notice of Conference to present proof of compliance and address safety deficiencies identified during inspection.
DOLE Central Visayas Regional Director Atty. Roy L. Buenafe said the agency will intensify OSH inspections in the coming days, with six more BPO companies scheduled for inspection following reports on social media and formal complaints.
“The DOLE is serious about securing the safety of workers, and this must also be at the heart of every employer’s operations,” Buenafe said, stressing that safeguarding workers’ safety and health not only benefits industries in Central Visayas but also contributes to the nation’s overall productivity and resilience.” Buenafe said.
Buenafe emphasized that the inspections will not be limited to the BPO sector, as DOLE aims to ensure compliance across all industries as part of its continuing mandate to uphold labor welfare and workplace safety.
