AFTER POWERFUL QUAKE 10 BPO firms sued by workers

The BPO Industry Employees’ Network (BIEN)-Cebu has filed a complaint before the Department of Labor and Employment-Regional Office 7 (DOLE-7) against 10 BPO companies in Cebu City, citing alleged violations of labor rights and occupational safety and health standards after the recent magnitude 6.9 earthquake.

- 

BIEN-Cebu—an independent group that promotes the rights and welfare of BPO workers said it received multiple reports of companies adopting a “business-as-usual” approach immediately after the September 30 quake.

According to the group, violations included forcing agents to return to take calls, offering double pay to resume work, threatening termination, and coercing workers to sign a memo prohibiting them from speaking about the incident on social media.

Additional complaints alleged that a pregnant employee was left unattended while evacuating from a high-rise building, and that exit doors were deliberately blocked, preventing swift evacuation.

With these reports, BIEN-Cebu strongly condemned what it described as “unacceptable” labor practices.

“Workers must have the right to ensure the safety of themselves and their families, especially during disasters. No employee should be forced to return onsite without proper safety clearance and building inspections,” the group said.