LAWMAKERS on Thursday urged the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) to impose sanctions against Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies in Cebu accused of forcing employees to return to work despite safety risks following the 6.9-magnitude earthquake on September 30.
Party-list Reps. Perci Cendaña of Akbayan and Sarah Elago of Gabriela called for an immediate Dole investigation into alleged violations of labor and safety laws committed by several BPO companies operating in Cebu. The quake severely affected BPO hubs in Ayala IT Park, Lapu-Lapu, and neighboring areas, leaving workers shaken and families distressed.
Cendaña said workers took to social media to report being threatened with being reported as absent without official leave (Awol) if they did not return to their work stations shortly after evacuating. Others complained that emergency exits were blocked, while some companies allegedly resumed operations without clearance from authorities.
Cendaña warned that companies should never put profit above employee safety.
‘It is heartless to force employees back to work just minutes after a massive earthquake. In such situations, human life should be the top priority, not corporate earnings,’ Cendaña said.
He urged Dole to investigate possible violations of the Labor Code and the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Law, stressing that workers have the legal right to refuse unsafe work.
‘This cannot be normalized. Dole must act swiftly to ensure workers’ rights and safety are protected,’ Cendaña added.
For her part, Elago, whose party co-authored the OSH Law, condemned the reported violations as a ‘gross disregard for workers’ lives.’
‘This is a blatant violation of the Occupational Safety and Health Law and a gross disregard for workers’ lives. The right to refuse unsafe work is enshrined in law. Forcing BPO workers back to work amid aftershocks and without safety clearance is exploitation, plain and simple,’ said Elago.
Under the OSH Law (Republic Act 11058), workers have the right to refuse unsafe work without fear of retaliation from management if their life or health is at risk. Employers are also mandated to suspend operations until competent authorities have declared workplaces safe.
She emphasized the need to strengthen the OSH Law by criminalizing violations and imposing stiffer penalties on negligent employers.
‘This tragedy should be a wake-up call. The OSH Law must be sharpened to hold negligent employers criminally liable for endangering workers. We cannot allow these reported BPO companies and other industries to treat calamities as mere interruptions to profit. Worker safety must come first,’ Elago added.