MANILA — The BPO Industry Employees Network (BIEN) warned that the latest rise in global oil prices, linked to escalating conflict in West Asia and tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, will add further pressure on Filipino workers already struggling with low wages and rising living costs.

BIEN said higher fuel prices quickly ripple through the economy, leading to increases in transport fares, food prices, electricity rates and other essential goods.

“For many workers who rely on daily commuting and fixed wages, another oil price surge quickly translates into tighter household budgets and difficult trade-offs,” the group said in a statement.

The organization called on the government and companies in the country’s IT and business process management sector to expand work-from-home arrangements for employees whose tasks can be performed remotely.

Allowing BPO employees to work from home, the group said, is “the fastest and most practical way” to help shield workers from the rising cost of daily commuting.

BIEN also reiterated its call for the suspension of excise taxes and value-added tax (VAT) on fuel to provide immediate relief to the public, arguing that fuel taxes worsen the burden whenever global oil prices surge.

The group added that the Philippines remains highly vulnerable to global oil shocks, noting that geopolitical conflicts and speculation in the oil market often translate into higher pump prices, transport costs and the rising prices of everyday goods for Filipino households.