Cebu BPO Workers to File Complaint After Being Forced to Work During Earthquake
Numerous BPO workers are set to file complaints against their companies after being forced to work during a powerful earthquake.
Concerns over employee safety are rising in Cebu as several business process outsourcing (BPO) workers prepare to file formal complaints against their companies. The workers claim they were forced to continue working even as a powerful earthquake shook the city last Tuesday (September 30, 2025).
The BPO Industry Employees Network (BIEN) Cebu organized the complaints, which will be submitted to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region 7 on Thursday, October 2, 2025.
The move comes after a 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck on Tuesday evening, leaving many employees and their families in distress.
Reports surfaced that in some BPO sites, employees were instructed to keep answering calls while tremors were ongoing. In another office, workers alleged that building exits were blocked, preventing them from immediately seeking safety. Such claims point to serious lapses in emergency procedures and workplace safety standards.
The powerful quake heavily affected key BPO hubs in Ayala, IT Park, Lapu-Lapu City, and surrounding areas. Many employees said they were left anxious as management allegedly prioritized business operations over their well-being.
Accounts shared by BIEN Cebu also indicated that certain supervisors ignored safety protocols and resumed operations without clearance from authorities.
Adding to their frustration, some employees reported being threatened with disciplinary action when they attempted to leave the office during the disaster. Advocates reminded companies that under the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Law, workers have the right to refuse dangerous work if their health or safety is at risk.
Employers, on the other hand, are required to halt operations until officials confirm that the workplace is secure.
In a previous report, DSWD to cover burial costs & provide aid to families of Cebu quake victims
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