Bankruptcy closes down call center

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — A call center in this city was closed down last week due to bankruptcy, and at least 31 of its agents and team leaders on Thursday filed complaints at the National Labor Relations Commission for not being paid of their salaries for a month now.

The Interface Techno-Phil branch in this city was forced to stop operating when its main office in Makati City ordered for its temporary closure due to bankruptcy because they no longer have clients, according to Pinky Gamboa, its human resource associate here.

Some of the employees also claimed that their SSS, Pag-IBIG and PhilHealth premiums were not remitted, although it appeared in their pay slips that payments for these were being deducted from their salaries.

Gamboa said the main office has assured them that their salaries will be paid, but were not told when. She added that the employees were already informed about the situation.

In a latest development, the Bacolod City Legal Office found out last Friday that the company's branch in this city was operating without a business permit since 2009.  (FREEMAN)