đź“·: Workers in the Business Process Outsourcing industry in Cebu lodged a complaint with the regional office of the Department of Labor and Employment on October 2, following orders from their companies to resume work immediately after a magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck. (BIEN Cebu)
Gabriela Women’s Party, principal author of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Law, slammed BPO companies in Cebu that forced employees to work during and after the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck the province on September 30, 2025. The quake severely affected BPO hubs in Ayala, IT Park, Lapu-Lapu, and neighboring areas, leaving workers shaken and families distressed.
Multiple reports received by BPO Industry Employees Network (BIEN) Cebu revealed alarming cases where company managers and team leaders failed to follow safety protocols, endangered employees by resuming operations without clearance from authorities, and even threatened or retaliated against workers who exercised their right to go home amid the calamity.
“This is a blatant violation of the Occupational Safety and Health Law and a gross disregard for workers’ lives. The right to refuse unsafe work is enshrined in law. Forcing BPO workers back to work amid aftershocks and without safety clearance is exploitation, plain and simple,” said House Assistant Minority Leader and Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Sarah Elago.
Under the OSH Law (Republic Act 11058), workers have the right to refuse unsafe work without fear of retaliation from management if their life or health is at risk. Employers are also mandated to suspend operations until competent authorities have declared workplaces safe.
Rep. Elago stressed that the incidents in Cebu underscore the urgent need to amend the OSH Law to criminalize violations by erring employers and impose stronger penalties against companies that put profit above human life.
“This tragedy should be a wake-up call. The OSH Law must be sharpened to hold negligent employers criminally liable for endangering workers. We cannot allow these reported BPO companies and other industries to treat calamities as mere interruptions to profit. Worker safety must come first,” Elago added.
Gabriela Women’s Party vowed to push amendments to the OSH Law in Congress and urged the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to immediately investigate reported violations, issue sanctions, and ensure that affected BPO employees are protected from retaliation.#
