Metro Manila, Philippines – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) ordered a Cebu-based business process outsourcing (BPO) company to temporarily halt its operations after it was found to have no earthquake and disaster preparedness response plan.
The DOLE Central Visayas on Sunday, Oct. 5 said it issued the work stoppage order against the unnamed BPO company as its “Hazard identification, Risk Assessment, and Control” process did not cover any risks relating to natural calamities.
Other deficiencies included inconsistencies in the composition and operation of the firm’s safety and health committee and no implementation of a “No Construction Safety and Health Program” for the construction activities in one of the occupied floors of the company.
The DOLE Central Visayas also said that if the company fails to correct the violations, it will be meted a daily penalty not exceeding P100,000 per day after being notified of the order. The work stoppage order mandates companies to cease and desist operations until violations have been corrected and all unsafe conditions and acts exposing employees to imminent danger have been addressed. Workers from the BPO that were affected will be temporarily reassigned in a different area of operation or be allowed to do a flexible or alternative work setup.If not feasible, employers shall pay the affected workers their corresponding wages during the work stoppage period. The labor department also issued a notice of conference to another BPO company after a recent inspection found occupational safety and health (OSH) deficiencies. The orders came after several BPO employees filed a complaint to DOLE through the BPO Industry Employees’ Network Cebu, citing safety and labor rights violations.
READ: Cebu BPO workers file complaint over order to return to work after strong quake
Cebu was hit with a 6.9 magnitude earthquake on Sept. 30, killing 72 people and injuring hundreds.
