Akbayan Partylist Rep. Chel Diokno urged the House of Representatives to investigate in aid of legislation the reports that business process outsourcing (BPO) firms required their employees to report to work during severe weather events and calamities.
In House Resolution No. 491 which he submitted together with fellow Akbayan Partylist Reps. Perci Cendana and Dadah Ismula, as well as Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bag-ao, Diokno called on the House committee on labor and employment, committee on disaster resilience, and other relevant committees to conduct a joint inquiry into alleged unsafe work practices affecting more than 1.8 million Filipino BPO workers nationwide.
Diokno stated during his privilege speech yesterday (Nov. 17) that credible reports have surfaced of BPO companies compelling employees to report physically for work—or forcing them to use leave credits—during typhoons and other natural disasters, despite hazardous conditions and government advisories.
“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,” he said.
Diokno emphasized that the practice of compelling workers to report to work during calamities is already prohibited by law, including provisions of the Labor Code on occupational safety, and Republic Act No. 11058, which affirms every employee’s right to refuse unsafe work without fear of punishment.
In addition, he said that DOLE Labor Advisory No. 17 (2022) 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 Department of Labor and Employment following reports of forced on-site work during recent typhoons.
Aside from investigating these reports, the Resolution will also look into 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.
“The Philippines is struck by an average of 20 typhoons each year, resulting in frequent disruptions to the safety and work mobility of the Filipino workforce. Thus, the integrity of labor standards and the safety of more than 1.82 million BPO employees in times of calamity are of significant public interest,” the Resolution stressed.
“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,” Diokno said.
