The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) warned it will investigate BPO companies that are not complying with minimum health standards after receiving reports from their workers.
“Huwag po kayong mag-atubili na ibigay po sa amin ang mga impormasyon at kami na po ang personal na tututok sa kaso na ito (Do not hesitate to give us information and we will personally oversee the case),” DOLE ASec. Dominique Tutay said.
“Iyong Occupational Safety and Health Law ay mayroon po tayo. So pwede na ito po ang titingnan nating basis ng kanilang violation (We have the Occupational Safety and Health Law where we can base their violations),” Tutay added.
The DOLE also assured conducting stricter inspection to ensure safety of employees in the industry.
According to a group of BPO workers, they have been receiving more than 400 complaints from their members since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The reports include non-compliance with health protocols, non-payment of salaries, and termination. The group is now appealing that DOLE look into the BPO companies.
“Kasi wala naman talaga tayong monitoring if these companies are actually following kahit man lang iyong minimum health protocols (We do not have actual monitoring if these companies are complying even with the minimum health protocols),” BPO Industry Employees Network President Mylene Cabalona claimed.
The DOLE said clear guidelines have been issued including isolation for suspected or positive COVID-19 employees, 14-day quarantine for those who had direct contact with a confirmed case, temporary stop in operations, and disinfection. The companies should also shoulder testing of employees and use their medical health insurance in paying employees’ hospital bills. The PhilHealth and SSS will also provide financial assistance. – Report from Cleizl Pardilla
