Group asks Dole, DTI to look into ‘fly-by-night’ call center

THE Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) has asked the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) and the Department of Trade and Industry to investigate the disappearance of Geils Communications Inc. at the Atrium Business Center in Mandaue City.

PM spokesman Dennis Derige, in a press conference last week, said the owners and clients of Geils Communications and Cordia Philippines are the same.

Cordia shut down last year, leaving more than 400 former employees with unpaid salaries and benefits.

Derige said allowing Cordia’s owner to reopen after they allegedly violated the law is an injustice to the former employees.

Proof

Victoria dela Peña, vice president of the Home Mutual Development Fund (Pag-Ibig Fund), said their inspectors went to Atrium last week and found out that Geils operated a call center with 12 employees.

She said the inspectors were there to collect contributions for the firm’s employees.

But Derige said after they made public that Geils and Cordia have the same owners and clients, Geils suddenly vacated its office at the Atrium.

He said the sudden closure of Geils is proof that there are fly-by-night call centers operating in Cebu.

Meanwhile, Dole authorities said they have scheduled a meeting with the tripartite council for BPO (business process outsourcing) on March 13 to discuss the matter.

Atty. Gloria Tango, who reported to Dole central office last Friday as assistant secretary, said before she left her post as Dole 7 director, she instructed officer-in-charge Lilia Estillore and Director Edmund Mirasol of the National Conciliation and Mediation Board to resolve the issue.