Manila: Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno is urging the House of Representatives to investigate reports that business process outsourcing (BPO) firms have been requiring their employees to work during severe weather events and calamities. House Resolution No. 491, filed on Tuesday, calls for the committee on labor and employment, committee on disaster resilience, and other relevant committees to conduct a joint inquiry into these alleged unsafe work practices affecting more than 1.8 million Filipino BPO workers across the nation.
According to Philippines News Agency, Diokno highlighted credible reports of BPO companies compelling employees to physically report to work-or forcing them to use leave credits-during typhoons and other natural disasters, despite hazardous conditions and government advisories. Diokno stated, “Sa kasagsagan ng Bagyong Tino at Bagyong Uwan, maraming BPO workers ang napilitang lumusong sa baha at sumuong sa malalakas na ulan at hangin – hindi upang maghanap ng ligtas na masisilungan, kundi upang makapasok sa trabaho. Ayon sa kanila, pinagbantaan sila ng kanilang mga kumpanya na paparusahan kung hindi sila pumasok, kahit malinaw na delikado ang sitwasyon (At the height of Typhoons Tino and Uwan, many Filipino workers were forced to brave floods, strong rains and winds-not to seek safety, but to go to work. According to them, they were threatened to be penalized by their companies if they don’t go to work, even if it was clear that the situation was dangerous).”
Diokno emphasized that compelling workers to report to work during calamities is against the law, citing provisions of the Labor Code on occupational safety and Republic Act (RA) 11058, also known as the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Law, which affirms every employee’s right to refuse unsafe work without fear of punishment. He also mentioned that the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Advisory No. 17 states that “employees who fail or refuse to work due to imminent danger resulting from weather disturbances shall not be subject to administrative sanction.”
Despite these policies, 98 BPO firms have been ordered inspected by the DOLE following reports of forced on-site work during recent typhoons. In addition to investigating these reports, the resolution will examine the contingency plans and emergency protocols of companies to ensure worker safety; enforcement mechanisms for RA 11058 and the right to refuse unsafe work; the adequacy of DOLE’s response to complaints; and potential legislative reforms, such as paid emergency leave, expanded remote-work options, simplified reporting mechanisms, and stronger penalties for violators.
Diokno asserted, “Filipino workers are not waterproof and calamity-proof. Forcing them into danger for profit is unacceptable, and we will never stand idly by in the face of unjust policies.”
