Press Release
April 27, 2016

BONGBONG MARCOS PUSHES FOR MAGNA CARTA
FOR CALL CENTER WORKERS

Vice Presidential candidate Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos Jr. today pushed for a Magna Carta for Call Center Workers in the country citing the many labor and health issues facing them.

Marcos said with the estimated more than 1 million call center agents in the country, there is a need to specifically address their working conditions to make sure they are in line with international labor standards.

"There are reports that many of our workers in the call center industry do not get proper compensation that is based on international standards. There is need for a specific body to make sure that they are not discriminated upon," Marcos cited.

Marcos' Presidential running mate Senator Miriam Defensor had filed Senate Bill No. 57 or the Magna Carta for Call Center Workers to enforce the right of call center workers to organize and establish regulations to ensure their welfare.

Aside from the pay, Marcos said there is also a need to look into the various health issues being faced by call center workers.

According to a study by the International Labor Organization, call center workers face serious health risks that include high blood pressure, sleep disorders, diabetes and obesity.

"This is because call center workers work long hours and usually during the graveyard shift. They spend most of their time sitting down in a high-pressure environment. Such situation puts a toll on their health and we have to protect them," Marcos recommended.

Marcos added that just like the issues confronting overseas deployment of Filipino workers, the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry has also created some adverse social, health and psychological effects especially among the youth who comprise majority of its workers.

The Senator had earlier declared that should he win the Vice Presidency and the new President offers him a post, he would prefer the Department of Labor Employment because it is an area that would create an immediate impact on the lives of the Filipinos.

"Being the DOLE Secretary is a good way to start creating positive and immediate effects on the Filipino people and I believe I can do much to help our workers in terms of making sure their rights under the law are upheld especially in job security, workers' welfare and creating job opportunities," Marcos concluded.

News Latest News Feed