A group of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) employees welcomed the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) response to their complaints regarding unsafe work practices.
According to the BPO Industry Employees Network (BIEN Pilipinas), Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma has ordered inspections of 98 BPO companies across the country.
The inspections were prompted by numerous complaints received by DOLE alleging that employees were forced to report to work despite severe weather conditions and earthquakes.
BIEN National President Mylene Cabalona stressed that companies prioritize profit over the safety of their workers.
She added that forcing employees to work during disasters constitutes a violation of DOLE’s Occupational Safety and Health Law.
Earlier, BPO employees in Cebu filed complaints against a company that allegedly required them to report to work immediately after a strong earthquake struck in September.
Workers also reported being advised to continue reporting to offices during typhoons and floods, raising concerns about their safety and well-being.
DOLE’s move to investigate BPO firms is seen as a step toward ensuring compliance with labor standards and protecting employees from hazardous working conditions.