The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has ordered the inspection of 98 business process outsourcing (BPO) companies accused of endangering employees during Super Typhoon “Uwan”, following a formal complaint filed by the BPO Industry Employees Network (BIEN Pilipinas).
“DOLE will always put primordial consideration to the safety and health of our workers above any other consideration,” Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said, as he convened a dialogue with BIEN on Wednesday, November 12.
In its labor inspection request, BIEN said it received numerous reports from BPO workers who had to wade through floodwaters, endure power outages, and risk their safety after being ordered to physically report for work. Some employees also claimed they were forced to use leave credits or threatened with sanctions for staying home during the storm.
“These reports show that many companies continue to prioritize business operations over worker safety,” said BIEN National President Mylene Cabalona. “No worker should be punished for choosing to stay safe during a super typhoon.”
The group warned that such directives could violate the Occupational Safety and Health Law and a labor advisory, which protect workers from being penalized for absences during calamities.
In a message to ABS-CBN News, Laguesma confirmed that as early as November 10, he had already directed DOLE regional directors to act on BIEN’s open letter dated November 9, which initially cited around 50 BPO sites allegedly compelling employees to report for duty despite life-threatening conditions.
With BIEN’s formal complaint filed Tuesday, November 11, Laguesma said he again instructed regional offices to validate the new allegations and gather additional details to guide appropriate action.
The Labor chief said that all companies named in the complaint would be given the opportunity to explain and present their side, consistent with the principles of due process.
BIEN is pushing for the immediate inspection of the 98 identified BPO sites; automatic suspension of on-site work in areas under storm signals or severe flooding; and guarantees that workers will not lose pay or face disciplinary measures for prioritizing their safety.
The group also invoked DOLE Order No. 238, Series of 2023, allowing legitimate labor organizations to participate in on-site inspections.
BIEN said the latest incidents mirror earlier complaints during typhoon “Tino,” which were allegedly left unaddressed. The group also cited a separate incident in which 30 BPO firms forced employees back to work just 30 minutes after a magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck Cebu.
“Uwan” swept through multiple regions of the Philippines earlier this week, unleashing widespread flooding, massive power outages, and prompting work and class suspensions across both public and private sectors.
Meanwhile, the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) said its member companies operated within the bounds of existing DOLE regulations amid the wrath of the typhoon. (ABS-CBN News)
