BWC tells BPO sector: Adopt best practices

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Working Conditions (BWC) urged the business process outsourcing or BPO industry to adopt best practices to protect their workers in the face of calamities and disasters.

BWC director Alvin Curada said the BPO industry, through the Industry Tripartite Council, should establish standard procedures for their employees during severe weather disturbances.

“They should talk about those challenges so they can get recommendations, ways forward and best practices. Those in the BPO community must have a business continuity plan so that, if there are similar scenarios, they’ll know what to do,” Curada said.

He stressed that it is not acceptable for the management to use high client demand as reason to force employees to work during bad weather.

“Our workers have the right to refuse work if they feel there is imminent danger when they report to work,” Curada said.

Earlier, the BPO Industry Employees Network (BIEN) Philippines reported that 21 BPO companies adopted “business-as-usual” attitudes despite the danger posed by Super Typhoon Uwan.

According to BIEN Philippines, BPO workers have no choice but to come up with measures in order to protect their selves amid the harm brought by the super typhoon, including the massive flooding.

The Department of Labor and Employment afterwards ordered a probe on these 21 BPO firms.