DOLE Accused of Negligence as BPO Workers Are Forced to Work During Typhoon

DOLE Accused of Negligence as BPO Workers Are Forced to Work During Typhoon

By Bing Jabadan – TheNationWeek.Com | November 13, 2025

MANILA, Philippines – A coalition of business process outsourcing (BPO) employees has accused the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) of criminal negligence after it failed to protect workers who were forced to report for duty even at the height of Typhoon Uwan (Fung-wong).

In a statement, the BPO Industry Employees Network (BIEN) demanded accountability from companies it says are “recklessly prioritizing profits over the lives of employees.”

BIEN criticized DOLE’s indifference as it painted a picture of BPO workers battling torrential rains and winds to be able to report for duty.

The group alleges that numerous firms are compelling employees to work despite the clear and present danger during a storm or typhoon.

“No BPO worker should be penalized or forced to use their leave credits for prioritizing their safety,” BIEN said, demanding that the DOLE hold negligent companies accountable.

The group cited DOLE’s alleged inaction following Typhoon Tino, which claimed hundreds of lives in Cebu.

Driven to desperation by DOLE’s silence, BIEN has resorted to public shaming of companies it believes are endangering the workforce.

“We have already tried to address these issues through proper channels,” BIEN declared.

“The silence from DOLE has compelled us to bring these matters to the public’s attention.”

BIEN is urging DOLE to issue an immediate advisory suspending work in affected areas during typhoons and guarantee that workers who prioritize their safety will not face repercussions.

The group is also appealing to BPO companies to suspend operations and provide emergency paid leave while unsafe conditions persist, reminding them, “without your employees, there is no service, no profit.”

Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma has instructed regional directors to investigate the allegations and engage with the companies in question.

Laguesma assured that DOLE would not condone employers jeopardizing workers’ safety and vowed to act on reports from regional offices.

However, BIEN remains skeptical as it demands concrete action, “not just words” from DOLE.

While some companies, such as Trip.com and Alldigitech, have reportedly offered temporary work-from-home options, BIEN alleges that many have continued “business as usual” with little or no support for their employees.

“Companies simply offer what they deem as ‘token gestures’ that prioritize business continuity over employee well-being,” they said.

BIEN cited TDCX Phils. Inc. and ProbeCX for offering limited assistance while penalizing employees who did not report on-site.

Cognizant and TTEC have been criticized for allegedly operating without additional support for their workforce.

The escalating conflict underscores the growing tension between workers’ welfare and corporate demands in the Philippines’ BPO sector, raising critical questions about the true cost of economic prosperity it brings.

Companies Named for “Business as Usual”

BIEN alleges that while some companies like Trip.com and Alldigitech offered temporary work-from-home arrangements, others continued normal operations, sometimes with limited support.

The following companies were named:

Companies with Limited Considerations:

• TDCX Phils. Inc., Cyber Omega Site, Ortigas
• ProbeCX, Makati
• Accenture, BGC
• Inspiro, Quezon City
• Accenture, Cubao
• Infosys, Taguig
• Intouch, Cubao
• Foundever, Baguio
• TaskUs, Antipolo
• TaskUs, Bulacan

Companies with No Additional Support:

• BILGOSLING Inc., BGC, Taguig
• Cognizant, Vertis North
• Afni, Santa Rosa, Laguna
• Enshored, Cebu
• Staff Outsourcing Solutions, Cebu
• TaskUs, Meycauayan
• TTEC, Cebu
• Accenture, Cebu
• Concentrix, Megamall