Cebu BPO Workers Demand Safety Measures After Earthquake Exposes Violations

Following a recent earthquake, employees in Cebu’s business process outsourcing (BPO) industry are calling out serious lapses in safety and labor rights, including unsafe return-to-office orders and threats for speaking up. The BPO Industry Employees Network (Bien-Cebu) is pushing for urgent reforms, better support, and enforcement of occupational safety standards.

On October 2, 2025, Bien-Cebu filed a formal complaint with the Department of Labor and Employment in Central Visayas (DOLE 7). The complaint names at least ten BPO companies suspected of violating occupational safety and health (OSH) regulations in the wake of the quake.

Bien-Cebu spokesperson Kyle Enero explained that the group seeks DOLE 7’s immediate intervention through its director Roy Buenafe, aiming to secure better protections for affected employees.

While Bien-Cebu has held back on releasing the names of the companies in question—citing fears of retaliation—the group laid out a list of demands: full investigations into alleged OSH and labor rights violations; safeguards to shield employees from reprisals for speaking out; provision of alternative work arrangements, such as work-from-home, to avoid forcing unsafe office returns; and penalties for employers found to have endangered workers.

Among the troubling reports gathered by Bien are claims that, during the earthquake, workers were told to continue their tasks even when office exits were blocked. Others say they were ordered back to their stations despite visible structural damage—such as cracks and yellow caution tape—around their workspaces, including in buildings within Cebu IT Park.

Workers also describe being forced to resume operations only 30 minutes after the tremor, without any safety clearance.

Those who evacuated or stayed away citing safety concerns were allegedly threatened with formal notices to explain, suspension, withholding of attendance bonuses, or even job loss. Some were punished for reduced attendance the next day.

Bien-Cebu also pointed to non-physical harms: verbal threats from supervisors, dismissal of safety concerns as “business as usual,” prohibition on speaking publicly about workplace conditions, and lack of support for health or mental well-being. For example, pregnant employees were reportedly forced to make unsafe descents during evacuations without assistance.

The group argues that simply stating a building is “clear” by engineers isn’t enough. OSH officers should have the authority to evaluate danger zones and determine when operations should resume. Employee welfare must take priority over continuity of business, says the advocacy group.

On October 1, DOLE 7 responded by urging employers to act with care and compassion. The agency emphasized that workers shouldn’t have to choose between their safety and their income, especially in times of disaster.

Under existing advisories—Labor Advisory No. 1 (2020) and Labor Advisory No. 17 (2022)—companies may suspend work in coordination with safety officers, especially during emergencies. If work continues, pay must be maintained. Employees who refuse to return to work due to imminent danger may not be punished.

Bien-Cebu says they have yet to see any statements or engagement from the BPO companies they believe have violated rules. Early next week, they plan to meet with DOLE 7 officials to press for an official investigation.