Many in the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry are disappointed with the government’s recent order to return BPO workers registered with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority on-site starting April 1.
If not 90 percent of employees are able to return, their tax incentives could be affected.
The BPO Industry Employees’ Network condemned the order because it allegedly did not consult industry workers.
“Ang nakakatakot kasi baka gawin siyang means ng mga kompanya to lay off [workers],” said group president Mylene Cabalona.
According to Rachel Balares, who heads a coalition of BPO workers, it is difficult for employees who enter on-site to be exposed to the virus.
The industry has also proven that they can be productive even if the setup is work-from-home.
An online petition is also allegedly being disseminated against forcing them to enter on-site.
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Group of BPO workers condemns order to return to onsite work in April
“Even with more people vaccinated, the environment remains volatile, and COVID surges may happen, and new variants may eventually emerge, and these vaccines and boosters will eventually wear off,” said Balares.
“So there’s no clear cut measure and plans by the government on how they are going to help us, you know, for the safety of the employees,” she added.
According to the National Economic and Development Authority, part of the new normal is to return to the office. In addition, the tax incentive is given to BPOs because they are in ecozones.
“I also understand the legal basis of providing incentives to BPOs is they should be situated in economic zones, and I am not sure if homes are situated in ecozones,” said Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua.
Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez earlier said that the work-from-home arrangement is only a temporary response. It is safer for employees to return to the office due to the high COVID-19 vaccination rate.
He said the back-office of BPO workers would also help small businesses, such as restaurants and other establishments affected by the pandemic.
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