13/11/2025
OPINION: An Urgent Dialogue Between BPO Organizations and on Workplace Safety
The time has come for an urgent and constructive dialogue between BPO organizations and to address workplace safety issues and foster the sharing of best practices across the industry.
BIEN (BPO Industry Employee Network) Philippines, a lobby group advocating for employee welfare, has recently released several open letters to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). These letters raised serious concerns about companies that allegedly required employees to report to work despite life-threatening conditions—such as the major earthquake in Cebu and the destructive storms that battered key BPO hubs nationwide. In naming multiple BPO companies and brands, BIEN sought accountability and stronger safeguards for workers.
Yet, the narrative is not one-sided. Interestingly, instead of being investigated or reprimanded, some BPO companies were recognized by the Cebu City government for their proactive and compassionate response to these calamities. Their recognition was not symbolic—it was earned through swift, tangible actions that prioritized employee welfare, including:
• Issuing timely bulletins and proactive safety reminders
• Activating business continuity plans and shelter-in-place protocols
• Offering flexible work arrangements and special/early compensation
• Providing shuttle services, free meals, and emergency accommodations
• Implementing workplace safety frameworks that went beyond compliance
These measures demonstrate that genuine care for employees is not about optics or shallow employer branding campaigns. It is about embedding workplace safety into the very culture and daily operations of an organization. Notably, some companies were absent from BIEN’s reports precisely because their crisis management and communication efforts were proactive, consistent, and credible.
The lesson here is clear: in a country that faces natural calamities year after year, workplace safety cannot be treated as an afterthought. It must be a shared responsibility—one that unites advocacy groups like BIEN and BPO organizations in dialogue rather than division. By exchanging best practices and reinforcing standards, the industry can move beyond reactive measures and build a resilient framework that protects employees while sustaining business continuity.
This is not just about compliance. It is about trust, accountability, and the moral obligation of employers to safeguard the people who power the industry. The call for dialogue is urgent, and the opportunity to lead by example is NOW!
Angat Cebu BPO
