Presidential aspirant Vice President Leni Robredo said she will push for government services that will address the day-to-day challenges facing business process outsourcing (BPO) employees.
The vice president said she recognizes that the nature of their work is different from the rest of the workforce.
The presidential aspirant noted that one of the most pressing issues of the BPO industry is the safety and security of employees, especially when it comes to public transportation.
“Primary kasi sa akin yung papaano natin maa-achieve yung quality of life na dapat ine-enjoy ng mga lahat sa atin even ‘yung mga kagaya ninyo na baliktad ‘yung oras. So ‘yung proposal talaga natin, dapat ‘yung pamahalaan nagpro-provide siya ng transportation na safe, na secure, gumagawa ng mga rota na sinu-suit doon sa mga oras sa paglabas sa trabaho. And ‘yung mga rotang ito, regulated by the government para siguradong ligtas,” said Robredo.
(A priority for me is how we can achieve the quality of life that all of us should enjoy, even those like you [BPO workers] who have different timetables compared to the rest of us. So our proposal is really, the government should provide transportation that is safe, secure, makes routes that are suited to those hours when we leave work. And these routes are regulated by the government to ensure safety.)
The vice president recently met with members of volunteer groups composed of information technology (IT) and BPO professionals to discuss her plans for the industry should she win the 2022 elections.
The virtual event was organized by the Robredo People’s Council (RPC) and hosted by the group IT & BPO Professionals for Leni via Zoom, and streamed on the Facebook page of the group BPO Employees for Leni. Over 850 participants were in attendance.
Robredo acknowledged how the shifting nature of their schedules made BPO employees lose their much-needed sleep when accessing government and medical services during daytime hours.
“Sinisiguro din natin na maraming services ang dapat available sa oras na puwede kayo. Meaning to say, nandoon... lalo na sa mga lugar na may conglomeration of BPO companies. Kailangan may available na services na paglabas ninyo sa opisina o bago kayo pumasok sa opisina, puwede niyo ‘yun ma-avail,” she said.
(We will also make sure that many services will be available that will complement your schedules. Meaning to say, especially in areas with conglomeration of BPO companies. There must be services available when you leave the office or before you enter the office.)
Addressing the fact that about 60 percent of employees in the BPO industry are working mothers, Robredo said companies must be mandated to provide daycare services, tutoring and other ways to make their lives easier.
“Kung hindi man kaya ng opisina na magkaroon ng sariling daycare service, dapat ‘yung pamahalaan ay mag-provide ... para lang ma-encourage ‘yung mga nanay na puwede pa siyang magtrabaho kasi may mapapag-iiwanan siya ng anak niya,” Robredo said.
(Even if offices are not able to have their own daycare services, the government should provide them. This will encourage mothers that they can still work because there is a place to have their children taken care of.)
“Dapat ‘yung services na ‘yun available para nakakapagtrabaho tayo ng mapayapa kasi may masasandigan tayo na mga services ng pamahalaan para sa pamilya natin," she added.
(Those services must be available so that we can work peacefully because we have reliable government services for our families.)