“Serve the workers, not the employers”

MANILA – As typhoon Unwan (international name Fung-wong) nears landfall, BPO Industry Employees’ Network (BIEN) called on the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to protect workers’ lives and uphold labor rights in times of disaster.

The demand comes on the heels of reports that many Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies operate like ‘business as usual’ despite the weather condition. 

BIEN called on BPO companies to suspend work and grant emergency leave with pay. The group said that the “few considerations that companies extend to their employees are not acts of compassion but token measures meant to sustain business continuity at the expense of workers’ safety.”

BIEN released a list of companies who continue their operations without consideration for their employees:

“Business-as-Usual” Operations with Limited Considerations

• TDCX Phils. Inc., Cyber Omega Site, Ortigas – transportation subsidy, shuttle pick-up points, and packed meals provided but workers who refused to report on-site are marked absent and may receive a Notice to Explain (NTE), which can affect their incentives
• ProbeCX, Makati – additional P1,000 allowance and free food but there are reports of disciplinary actions issued to workers who refused to report for on-site duty
• Accenture, BGC – offers rest day overtime, transportation allowance, and food vouchers.
• Infosys, Taguig – free meals and toiletries but reports indicate that Team Leaders are compelling agents to report on-site and remain in the office; absences are reportedly not allowed.
• Inspiro, Quezon City – free shuttle services
• Accenture, Cubao – free shuttle services
• Intouch, Cubao – additional beddings for those staying in the office
• Foundever, Baguio – free meal provided
• Task Us, Antipolo – free Grab but not yet activated
• Task Us, Bulacan – free meals

“Business-as-Usual” Without Considerations

• BILGOSLING INC., BGC, Taguig
• Cognizant, Vertis North
• Afni, Santa Rosa, Laguna
• Enshored, Cebu
• Staff Outsourcing Solutions, Cebu
• TaskUs, Meycauayan
• TTEC, Cebu
• Accenture, Cebu
• Concentrix, Megamall

Temporary Work-from-Home Arrangements

• Trip.com – McKinley West, Taguig 
• Alldigitech – Mckinley, Taguig

In its statement, BIEN said it takes no pleasure in publicizing the names of these companies but it has been left with no choice. The group said their members tried going through the “proper channels” as they reported similar violations to the DOLE during Typhoon Tino but nothing happened. (RVO)

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