BIEN supports calls for a pro-people modernization; No to corporate take-over of public transport

On the 2-day nationwide transport strike led by PISTON, the BPO Industry Employees Network (BIEN) joins calls for a pro-people modernization of public transport and rejects corporate monopoly as in the case of phase out of traditional jeepneys to favor e-jeepneys controlled by big businesses.

“Jeepney is still the most affordable public transport which many of us BPO employees and our families rely upon when going to and from work and other places. With the so-called modernization of public transport system, fares are expected to rise by at least 50 percent. This will gravely affect us especially that in most BPO companies basic salary rates are below the living wage and regular appraisals are often very minimal,” Mylene Cabalona, BIEN spokesperson said.

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Right to job security in BPOs at greater risk due to automation – BIEN

The BPO Industry Employees Network (BIEN) expressed alarm over setbacks to workers’ rights, particularly the right to security of tenure, with the shift to automation in the BPO industry.

According to the ITBPM, employment in the low-end services will be slashed by at least 43,000 due to the shift to automation. The ILO paints a dimmer picture citing that 89 percent of BPO workers in the Philippines are at high risk due to the change in technology.

“The reported impact of automation on jobs is very worrisome given that at present BPO workers already do not enjoy security of tenure even if they are considered regular employees. Companies implement many schemes in order to ‘manage out’ employees

Night workers face more safety risks with drug war, martial law – BIEN

The BPO Industry Employees Network warned that night workers including BPO workers may face higher safety risks with the relentless spate of killings associated with President Duterte’s drug war, and with recent pronouncements by government officials about a nationwide imposition of martial law.

“It has become a common household warning never to go home too late at night because of what has happened to some members of the youth like Kian delos Santos, who recently was victimized by state-sponsored war on drugs. We fear that the spate of