Workers in the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry, including those in call centers, may soon be assured of protection for their rights and welfare—including the right to organize labor groups—if Senate Bill 57 or the “Magna Carta for Call Center Workers Act” filed by Sen. Miriam Santiago becomes law.
“Once touted as a sunshine industry, the country’s BPO industry has the distinction of both contributing to economic growth and sustaining it through the services it offers. It makes perfect sense that Congress should protect this industry,”
said Santiago, who first filed a bill for the rights of call center workers in 2010.
She said the BPO industry is expected to generate up to $16 billion in revenues and provide 720,000 jobs this year.
Citing earlier reports, she said Philippine BPO revenues have risen steadily since 2009, raking in $13.5 million in revenues in 2012 alone.
Under the bill, call center workers will have rights to:
- organize and join labor organizations
- a safe and healthy working environment
- to stay in their employer’s premises until daybreak for night shift employees to ensure their safety.
Santiago cited International Labor Organization studies showing the dangers of working in call centers, especially those on the night shift.
The study found 42.6 percent of BPO employees in the Philippines work the night shift.
"About 47.7 percent of Filipino BPO workers surveyed for the study suffered from insomnia, while 54 percent suffered from fatigue. They were also found to have other health problems eye strain; neck, shoulder and back pains; and voice problems," Santiago noted.
She said the Departments of Labor and Employment and Health should pay special attention to BPO employees who are vulnerable to health and safety hazards because of its peculiar nature and work schedule.
"Prolonged computer use and night shift schedules are legitimate health and safety concerns,” Santiago said.
Unions
On the other hand, she voiced alarm over reports that the BPO industry discourages unions.
“The right to form labor unions in enshrined in the Constitution, and the country is party to various International Labor Organization (ILO) conventions and treaties. We cannot truly boast of our BPO industry to the world if it does not comply to the most basic of international labor standards,” she said.
Help desks
The bill, originally filed in the 15th Congress, also taps the Labor Department to put up BPO help desks in their national and regional offices.
Such help desks will advise prospective and active BPO employees about the terms and conditions of their contracts, and about filing complaints.
— BM, GMA News
Miriam files bill of rights for call center workers | SciTech | GMA News Online
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