The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Central Visayas will inspect six more business process outsourcing (BPO) companies in the coming days to ensure they comply with occupational safety and health (OSH) standards.
DOLE-7 Director Roy Buenafe said on Tuesday, October 7, the agency initiated the inspections after receiving social media reports and formal complaints about several firms.
Buenafe confirmed that the regional office will inspect six additional BPO companies to verify their compliance with OSH standards.
He said DOLE will also carry out similar inspections in other industries to ensure the protection of workers. He also stressed that the department prioritizes the safety of workers and expects employers to place the same importance on workplace safety in their operations.
The inspection drive follows a recent OSH violation by a BPO company that prompted DOLE-7 to issue a Work Stoppage Order (WSO) against the firm.
The order requires the company to fix all unsafe conditions and correct the identified OSH violations before resuming operations.
The department also allowed affected workers to continue performing tasks under alternative or flexible work arrangements while the stoppage remains in effect.
DOLE directed the company to pay employees their wages during the suspension period, in line with the OSH Law.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, contributes to Negros Daily Bulletin, and maintains a blog on Medium.