A coalition of business process outsourcing (BPO) employees in the Philippines has denounced the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for what it calls “chronic inaction” after several BPO firms allegedly forced staff to report on-site despite the life-threatening conditions brought by Super Typhoon Uwan (international name: Fung-wong).
‘Serve the workers, not the employers’
In an open letter dated November 9, the BPO Industry Employees Network (BIEN) urged the DOLE to hold companies accountable for endangering workers during the storm’s onslaught that battered the country. The group stated that employees were again left to fend for themselves, as employers continued with “business as usual” operations despite the destructive winds and flooding.
“Call on these companies that continue to force workers to report for duty,” BIEN said. “Ensure that no BPO worker is punished or forced to use leave credits for choosing safety.”
BIEN Philippines Secretary General Renzo Bahala said that worker-protection laws exist but are rarely enforced in the BPO industry. During Uwan’s peak, Bahala said the group received complaints from employees who accused nearly 100 BPO firms of issuing threats of penalties and “Notices to Explain” for staying home.
The group said it had filed similar complaints during Typhoon Tino, which killed over 200 people in Cebu, but no action was taken. “This continued silence and inaction have forced us to bring these issues to the public,” BIEN added.
DOLE responds: ‘Safety will always come first’
Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma stated that he has ordered regional directors nationwide to investigate and validate the allegations. “They have been instructed to summon the employers involved to explain why they required staff to report during severe weather conditions,” he said.
“DOLE will not tolerate actions that put workers at risk,” Laguesma said, stressing that the agency prioritizes safety across all sectors.
House Assistant Minority Leader Sarah Elago backed BIEN’s call, reminding both DOLE and employers that workers have the right to refuse unsafe work orders under Labor Advisory No. 17 and Republic Act 11058, the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Law.
“BPO workers are not typhoon-proof,” Elago told DZRH News. “No one should be forced to risk their lives just to meet company targets during a super typhoon.”
‘Token gestures’ amid floods and danger
BIEN identified 21 BPO companies that allegedly continued on-site operations during Uwan, offering what it called “token support” such as shuttle services, packed meals, or temporary lodging. These firms reportedly operated despite heavy rainfall warnings in multiple provinces.
“These are token gestures meant to sustain business continuity at the expense of workers’ safety,” BIEN said. The group urged companies to suspend operations and grant paid emergency leave while conditions remain unsafe.
As of Monday, the Office of Civil Defense reported that Typhoon Uwan affected more than 231,000 families, equivalent to 837,000 individuals, across 2,700 barangays nationwide.
Read more Unity Communications and industry news on our main BPO News page.
Banal, A. (2025, November 10). BPO workers flag 21 firms for “business-as-usual” attitude amid ‘Uwan.’ SunStar Publishing Inc. Retrieved from https://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/bpo-workers-flag-21-firms-for-business-as-usual-attitude-amid-uwan
Sampang, D. (2025, November 11). BPO employees’ group wants DOLE to investigate alleged rights violation. Inquirer. Retrieved from https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2138116/fwd-bpo-employees-group-wants-dole-to-investigate-bpos-for-alleged-violation-of-workers-rights
