House leaders want better pay, working conditions for 1.3 million BPO workers
Published Oct 17, 2018 08:16 am
By Ben Rosario
The House Committee on Labor and Employment wants more than assurance that the 1.3 million workers employed in the Business Processing Outsourcing industry get better pay and the best working conditions.
(MANILA BULLETIN)
In a recent congressional hearing, committee chairman and Cagayan Rep. Randolph Ting and Quezon City Rep. Alfred Vargas lauded leaders of the industry for their efforts in making the country a world leader in BPO.
However, Vargas said Filipino workers should get better pay and assurance of good working environment that includes health and medical benefits.
Vargas is among the principal authors of several pending legislative measures seeking to protect the rights, welfare and safety of workers in the information technology and BPO industry.
House Bill 5728 which Vargas authored provides for standard and humane treatment for all workers and guarantees of regularization.
IN HB 5728, Vargas called for a ban on understaffing that would trigger overwork among IT-BPO staff.
Security of tenure and protection against discrimination are also provided under the measure.
Vargas noted that while the Philippines BPO industy has become the second largest source of income for the country’s economy, call centers post “a high attrition rate of almost 50 percent annually.”
Dubbed the country’s “sunshine industry,” the BPO has contributed at least $18 billion in revenues to the government.
During the hearing, Executive Director Nicki Agcaoili of the Information Technology and Business Processing Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) said the BPO sector appreciates the filing of the pro-worker bills.
However, he urged lawmakers to take into consideration the position of other sector members, noting that competition should also be factored in as the Lower House studies the measure.
Agcaoili said that majority of the clients of the BPO industry are from North America but they also support the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East and Africa), and the Asia-Pacific region. The bulk of the workers in the BPO industry caters to clients from North America, thus, 65 percent to 70 percent are working in the mid or night shift.
Agcaoili pointed out that the starting pay for an entry level staff in the BPO industry is significantly higher than the minimum pay received by ordinary workers.
“On the average, mabilis rin ang career progression sa industry. From agent, they can progress to a team leader and then as supervisor manager,” Agcaoili added.
On the other hand, Dr. Valeriano Timbang of the Department of Health (DOH) said that the notable cause of mortality is cardiovascular disease.
(MANILA BULLETIN)
In a recent congressional hearing, committee chairman and Cagayan Rep. Randolph Ting and Quezon City Rep. Alfred Vargas lauded leaders of the industry for their efforts in making the country a world leader in BPO.
However, Vargas said Filipino workers should get better pay and assurance of good working environment that includes health and medical benefits.
Vargas is among the principal authors of several pending legislative measures seeking to protect the rights, welfare and safety of workers in the information technology and BPO industry.
House Bill 5728 which Vargas authored provides for standard and humane treatment for all workers and guarantees of regularization.
IN HB 5728, Vargas called for a ban on understaffing that would trigger overwork among IT-BPO staff.
Security of tenure and protection against discrimination are also provided under the measure.
Vargas noted that while the Philippines BPO industy has become the second largest source of income for the country’s economy, call centers post “a high attrition rate of almost 50 percent annually.”
Dubbed the country’s “sunshine industry,” the BPO has contributed at least $18 billion in revenues to the government.
During the hearing, Executive Director Nicki Agcaoili of the Information Technology and Business Processing Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) said the BPO sector appreciates the filing of the pro-worker bills.
However, he urged lawmakers to take into consideration the position of other sector members, noting that competition should also be factored in as the Lower House studies the measure.
Agcaoili said that majority of the clients of the BPO industry are from North America but they also support the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East and Africa), and the Asia-Pacific region. The bulk of the workers in the BPO industry caters to clients from North America, thus, 65 percent to 70 percent are working in the mid or night shift.
Agcaoili pointed out that the starting pay for an entry level staff in the BPO industry is significantly higher than the minimum pay received by ordinary workers.
“On the average, mabilis rin ang career progression sa industry. From agent, they can progress to a team leader and then as supervisor manager,” Agcaoili added.
On the other hand, Dr. Valeriano Timbang of the Department of Health (DOH) said that the notable cause of mortality is cardiovascular disease.