The Daily Tribune
BPO workers’ protection boost sought
Senator Camille Villar has filed Senate Bill No. 1401, or the "BPO Workers' Welfare and Protection Act," aiming to enhance the safety and well-being of BPO employees during disasters.
The bill was inspired by reports of BPO workers in Cebu being compelled to return to work soon after a major earthquake struck the province.
This proposed legislation seeks to institutionalize occupational health and safety standards tailored for the BPO industry.
It mandates the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to create and enforce safety protocols in line with International Labor Organization (ILO) standards.
Senator Villar emphasized that workers' safety should take precedence over their employment, especially during calamities.
The bill aims to address concerns raised by Cebu-based BPO workers regarding unsafe return-to-work orders and alleged employer harassment.
Some workers reportedly faced threats of termination for prioritizing their safety over their jobs.
🤖
This story was generated by AI to help you understand the key points. For more detailed coverage, please see the news articles from trusted media outlets below.
News Sources
See how different news organizations are covering this story. Below are the original articles from various Philippine news sources that contributed to this summary.
Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma affirmed that workers have the right to refuse unsafe work, especially following the magnitude 6.9 earthquake, and cannot face disciplinary action for justifiable safety concerns.
+4
Read more →
Senator Raffy Tulfo is considering legal action against 23 Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies in Cebu for allegedly forcing employees to work during a magnitude 6.9 earthquake.
Read more →
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office 7 has issued a cease and desist order to a Cebu-based BPO company for lacking a disaster response plan.
Read more →