A BPO workers group welcomed the order from the Department of Labor and
Employment (DOLE) providing for 5-minute breaks for desk employees. The workers
organization BPO Secure and Healthy Ideas Enabling Labor Defense or BPO Shield however
asked that instead of 5-minute breaks for every two hours as specified in the
order, a 5-minute break for every hour would be more appropriate.
BPO Shield also called on the DOLE to consult workers on the drafting
of the implementing rules of the order and for coordination on inspections of
establishments. Last week the DOLE announced DO 184 that applies to desk-bound
workers such as call center workers and also encourages exercises at the
offices in the interest of occupational health and safety.
BPO Shield was formerly named the Inter-Call Center Association of
Workers (ICCAW). ICCAW was formed in 2012 but changed its name to BPO Shield
this year. BPO Shield is the accredited labor representative in the Region VII
ICT industry tripartite council. Its website is https://bposhield.com.
Rossie Hong, a leader of BPO Shield, said that “DO 184 is a welcome
response to clamor from BPO workers about health risks and for safe working conditions
in offices. In call centers especially, agents sit for hours taking calls. However,
BPO Shield would like to suggest that 5 minutes per hour would be more
appropriate for call centers, since sitting for prolonged period could cause
back pains and may lead to severe back problems, aside from hypertension, heart
diseases, musculoskeletal disorders and other health problems.”
Hong also reminded the DOLE of their group’s longstanding call for assutrance
bonds to be a requirement for the establishment and operation of BPO firms. She
added that “BPO’s must put up a bond equivalent to two months worth of salaries
of all their workers to defray money claims in cases of sudden closure or
declaration of bankruptcy.”
She recalled that “In Cebu City, the BPO bond has been pushed by BPO
Shield to the City Council for its approval and implementation. In 2012, Direct
Access suddenly shut down leaving around 600 workers with no job and no pay.
Several BPO companies did the same thing, like Cordia, Green Wire, Leadamorphosis,
Blue Connect and Eziconnect, leaving more than a thousand workers, in the air,
unpaid and unemployed. Although the workers have been vindicated in the NLRC
decisions, sadly, the owners have already left the country or have opened
another BPO but registered under a new name.”
BPO Shield
October 24, 2017
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