The BPO Industry Employees Network (BIEN) has urged the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and business process outsourcing companies to immediately declare an “imminent danger” situation in workplaces affected by heavy rains and widespread flooding in Metro Manila and other urban centers.

"We cannot accept business-as-usual while our fellow workers are wading through floodwaters, risking their health and safety just to report to work," said BIEN President Mylene Cabalona. "If the government and employers truly value workers' lives, they must recognize that this is a clear and present danger—not just an inconvenience."

According to BIEN, reports have poured in from BPO workers who are being forced to commute or report onsite despite flooded streets, stalled transportation, and weather warnings.

Many employees fear being penalized for absence or tardiness, even as conditions become hazardous.

BIEN pointed out that DOLE’s own Occupational Safety and Health Standards require employers to suspend work when there is an imminent danger to workers’ safety. The group stressed that the current weather conditions—marked by power outages, flooded roads, and disrupted public transport—clearly meet this threshold.

“We challenge DOLE to enforce its own mandate and direct BPO companies to prioritize worker safety over profit. It’s not enough to leave this to employer discretion,” Cabalona added.

The group also called on BPO companies to immediately adopt remote work arrangements, flexible schedules, and no-fault attendance policies in affected areas.

“Technology allows our industry to work remotely, so there is no excuse to endanger lives just to meet KPIs," Cabalona emphasized.

With climate change driving increasingly severe weather patterns, BIEN is also pushing for the creation of a national safety protocol for the BPO industry, which employs over 1.8 million workers—many of whom work night shifts and rely on unstable public transportation.

“BIEN stands with all BPO workers braving the rains and calls on DOLE and companies to act immediately before tragedy claims a worker’s life,” the group said