Dole-7 hit for identifying shuttered BPO firms

Local

THE Department of Labor and Employment- Central Visayas (Dole-7) was criticized for its disclosure of several Information Technology and Business Process Management (IT-BPM) that were shut down for allegedly violating labor laws following the Sept. 30 Cebu earthquake.

The IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) said the reckless naming of companies before the Senate and in the media has damaged reputations, caused confusion among employees, and created undue alarm among global clients.

IBPAP said Dole-7 Director Roy Buenafe made the disclosure without conducting an impartial investigation or proper verification.

The association warned that such actions could undermine investor confidence and the country’s reputation as a dependable outsourcing destination.

Since the reports emerged, IBPAP said it has been coordinating with Dole’s National Capital Region office to obtain the official list of companies and the corresponding complaints filed by the BPO Industry Employees Network (BIEN).

However, no official documentation has been released to date. Of the six companies named, four are IBPAP members.

The association said it immediately sought explanations from these firms and found no confirmation that workers were stopped from leaving their work areas or ordered to

return without safety clearance after the tremor.

IBPAP said its findings contradict BIEN’s allegations of widespread labor and safety violations among Cebu-based BPO firms.

It also questioned the impartiality of a DOLE inspection conducted after the Senate hearing, which was reportedly attended by a BIEN representative.

“We urge the Department of Labor and Employment to investigate this matter thoroughly and issue a clarificatory statement on how it is being handled,” IBPAP said.

It also asked Dole-7 to correct its records and remove the names of companies cited without sufficient basis.

The association reaffirmed its commitment to work with Dole and other stakeholders to protect both worker welfare and employer integrity.

It noted that the IT-BPM industry employs 1.9 million Filipinos and contributes nearly USD 40 billion annually to the economy.

IBPAP’s statement came after BIEN-Cebu filed fresh complaints on October 6 against 23 BPO companies accused of forcing employees to report for work despite continuing aftershocks.

Dole-7 said it will investigate the companies named in the new complaints and has intensified workplace safety inspections in quake-affected areas.

Earlier, the agency ordered a Cebu-based BPO to suspend operations after inspectors found several safety violations, including the lack of an emergency response plan and safety committee.

Dole-7 reminded employees that they may refuse work under unsafe conditions and urged them to report any violations through its official channels for confidential and immediate action.(MyTVCebu)