Former Vice President and senatorial aspirant Jejomar Binay urged the national government on Wednesday, March 16, to reconsider its plan to make Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) workers return to on-site work system amid the declining number of Covid-19 cases.

Binay made the statement after the national government ordered the physical return of BPO workers to their offices starting April 1 as part of its efforts to boost the economy, a decision being opposed by the workers and employers.

“It will be in the best interest not only of the industry but of the economy if our economic managers heed the position taken by the industry and its workers,” Binay said.

“Threatening BPO companies with a possible rescinding of incentives for non-compliance is too coercive. This sends the wrong signal to potential investors,” he added.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Chua was reported as saying that a return to physical office work is "part of returning to the new normal.”

But the former VP said that this view is already outdated and that workplace realities have evolved because of the pandemic.

“Economic managers should realize that the new normal also means accepting changing realities in the workplace,” Binay said.

“It’s time for the government to reconsider the concept that physical presence means greater productivity. What the pandemic has shown is that employees can just be as productive working from home,” he explained.

According to Binay, hybrid work arrangements is now the "new normal" and that the work-from-home set up has opened new opportunities for sectors who are unable to physically report for work but can be productive from home.

“We now see greater work opportunities for stay-at-home parents, senior citizens, and Persons With Disabilities, particularly those with mobility problems,” Binay said.

“Working from home is a leveler in terms of job opportunities,” he added.

The IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) earlier proposed a hybrid work arrangement for their workers. Under this set up, workers can work from both their homes or in their offices.

The Philippine Export Zone Authority (PEZA) also supports this position.

Binay said that the government should address the valid concerns raised by BPO workers, which include access to transportation, traffic, and their safety against the virus.