DOLE Orders Cebu BPO to Stop Operations Over Safety Violations
DOLE — The Department of Labor and Employment has ordered a business process outsourcing (BPO) company in Cebu to suspend its operations after discovering that it had no disaster response and emergency plan in place. The cease and desist order, issued on Sunday, October 5, came after reports showed that the company failed to follow workplace safety regulations, especially after the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Cebu on September 30.
According to DOLE, the company’s safety and health program did not include clear procedures for emergency and disaster response, which is a legal requirement for all workplaces. The agency advised the company to implement flexible work arrangements while addressing the issues to ensure workers’ safety and compliance with labor standards.
The order came days after the BPO Industry Employees Network (BIEN) filed a complaint on October 2 against 30 BPO companies for allegedly violating labor and safety laws during and after the Cebu earthquake. BIEN reported that some employees were forced to return to work shortly after the quake, while others were offered double pay to continue working despite unsafe conditions.
There were also reports of blocked emergency exits, verbal threats from managers, and ignored safety concerns. Some employees said they were penalized for going home during the earthquake, losing attendance bonuses or being suspended. Others claimed they were pressured to sign documents promising not to discuss the incident on social media.
DOLE said it will investigate the complaints and hold accountable those found violating the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Law. The agency emphasized that workers’ safety must always come first, especially during disasters, and reminded employers that no job is worth risking a life.
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