MANILA — A Philippine business process outsourcing workers’ group urged companies to protect employees’ right to rest and leave, saying business pressures should not be addressed by relying on workers to give up time off.

The BPO Industry Employees Network – Bonifacio Global City (BIEN BGC) issued the statement following reports that Accenture CEO Julie Sweet said employees should defer vacation leave as the company works to strengthen its fiscal year performance.

Accenture’s reported one-time decision to allow unused vacation leave to carry over into fiscal year 2027 could give employees greater flexibility, BIEN BGC said, but added that the move raised broader concerns about whether workers were being encouraged to postpone rest to support business targets.

“When businesses face pressure to meet financial targets, should workers’ time and well-being become the first area of adjustment?” the group said.

BIEN BGC cited the International Labour Organization’s Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy, which provides guidance on employment, working conditions, occupational safety and health, industrial relations, freedom of association and collective bargaining.

The group said corporate performance should be considered alongside the conditions under which workers deliver that performance.

“Responsible business is not simply about generating revenue responsibly. It is also about treating workers fairly and with dignity,” BIEN BGC said.

The Philippine BPO workforce faces demanding conditions, including night work, shifting schedules, productivity requirements and client-driven performance targets, the group said.

BIEN BGC also raised concerns over what it described as longstanding issues involving freedom of association, job security, occupational safety and health and working conditions.

“When companies face increased business pressures, the solution should not automatically be to ask workers to sacrifice rest, extend their availability, or postpone time away from work,” the group said.

It called on companies to address productivity and competitiveness through technology, skills development, adequate staffing, improved processes and worker participation rather than relying excessively on employees’ time.

The group also urged BPO companies and multinational enterprises operating in the Philippines to respect workers’ right to legitimate leave, avoid direct or indirect pressure to forego leave, promote consultation with workers and their representatives, and treat employee well-being as part of business sustainability.

BIEN BGC said the Philippine IT-BPM industry’s competitiveness depends not only on labor costs but also on the skills and adaptability of Filipino workers.

“If the industry seeks sustainable business, it must also invest in sustainable work,” the group said.

The Philippines is one of the world’s major destinations for outsourced business services, with the industry employing hundreds of thousands of workers and generating significant export revenues.

BIEN BGC said it did not oppose profitable and competitive companies but rejected the idea that workers should bear the cost of maintaining competitiveness.

“Workers are not the cost of competitiveness. Workers are the people who make competitiveness possible,” the group said.