The 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 Tuesday evening.
The quake severely affected BPO hubs in Ayala, IT Park, Lapu-Lapu, and neighboring areas, leaving workers shaken and families distressed.
In a statement on Thursday, Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Sarah Elago said the BPO Industry Employees Network (BIEN) Cebu revealed alarming cases where company managers and team leaders failed to follow safety protocols, endangering employees by resuming operations without clearance from authorities.
Executives of some BPO firms even threatened or retaliated against workers who exercised their right to go home amid the calamity, she added.
“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 Elago, who is also House Assistant Minority Leader.
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, she pointed out.
Employers are also required to suspend operations until competent authorities have declared the workplace safe.
“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.
