The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is seeing the resurgence of the BPO industry which could help in easing unemployment in the country.
Labor Secretary Silvester Bello III said some big companies have already given notice for their requirements with an estimated 6,000 to 10,000 vacant positions to be filled out until September.
“‘Di ba mag-back to normal na, ang BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) ang inaasahan nating mag-i-increase ng jobs kaya in fact, initially mayroon na silang requirement of 6,000. Doon tayo aasa ng bounce back. Bounce back tayo sa unemployment. Aside from the BPO, nandiyan din ‘yong construction (We expect BPOs to increase jobs. In fact, they initially have a requirement of 6,000. That is where we will expect for bounce back in employment. Aside from it, there is also the construction [industry]),” Bello said.
The labor secretary added the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent global recession will force the west to offshore more jobs in the industry, many of which will go to the Philippines, particularly in NCR, Calabarzon, Region 3, and Cebu. “Ang una kasing priority is for them to return sana lahat ng mga manggagawa. Kasi kaya namin ginawa ‘yung panawagan na ‘yun para hindi na rin mawalan ng trabaho ‘yung mga currently ay mayroon (The priority is for them to return, all workers. That’s why we created that call, so that those who currently have jobs will not lose it),” Asec. Dominique Tutay said.
The DOLE also appealed to employees who are still on leave of absence to return work to help the BPO industry provide services, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. – Report from Mark Fetalco
