MANILA—Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno has filed a resolution calling on the House of Representatives to investigate reports that business process outsourcing (BPO) companies compelled employees to report to work during severe weather events and calamities.

House Resolution No. 491, filed Tuesday, asks the committees on labor and employment, disaster resilience, and other relevant committees to conduct a joint inquiry into alleged unsafe work practices affecting more than 1.8 million Filipino BPO workers nationwide.

“Sa kasagsagan ng Bagyong Tino at Bagyong Uwan, maraming BPO workers ang napilitang lumusong sa baha at sumuong sa malalakas na ulan at hangin — hindi upang maghanap ng ligtas na masisilungan, kundi upang makapasok sa trabaho. Ayon sa kanila, pinagbantaan sila ng kanilang mga kumpanya na paparusahan kung hindi sila pumasok, kahit malinaw na delikado ang sitwasyon,” Diokno said.

He noted that forcing workers to report during calamities violates existing laws, including provisions of the Labor Code on occupational safety and Republic Act 11058, the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Law, which guarantees employees the right to refuse unsafe work without fear of punishment.

Diokno also cited Department of Labor and Employment Advisory No. 17, which states that “employees who fail or refuse to work due to imminent danger resulting from weather disturbances shall not be subject to administrative sanction.”

Following reports of forced on-site work during recent typhoons, DOLE has already ordered inspections of 98 BPO firms.

The resolution seeks to examine companies’ contingency plans and emergency protocols, enforcement mechanisms for RA 11058, DOLE’s responsiveness to complaints, and potential legislative reforms such as paid emergency leave, expanded remote-work options, simplified reporting mechanisms, and stronger penalties for violators.

“Filipino workers are not waterproof and calamity-proof. Forcing them into danger for profit is unacceptable, and we will never stand idly by in the face of unjust policies,” Diokno said.

PNA