The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has ordered the suspension of a Cebu-based business process outsourcing (BPO) firm after inspectors found violations of workplace safety and disaster preparedness protocols following the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck northern Cebu on Sept. 30.

In a statement, DOLE said its regional office in Central Visayas issued the cease-and-desist order after inspectors found that the company exposed its employees to “imminent danger” due to the absence of an emergency and disaster response plan.

Based on the findings of DOLE Region 7, the firm violated several provisions of Department Order (DO) 252, Series of 2025, including the absence of an Emergency and Disaster Preparedness and Response Plan under its Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Program and the lack of earthquake-related risk assessments in its Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment, and Control (HIRAC) system.

Inspectors also found irregularities in the composition and operation of the company’s Safety and Health Committee, as well as its failure to submit a Construction Safety and Health Program for ongoing fit-out works on one of its occupied floors.

DOLE 7 Director Roy Buenafe said the order is part of a broader investigation into BPO companies that allegedly failed to protect their workers during and after the tremor.

“This is just the initial shot. More and more vigorous inspections will happen onward,” he added.

The company must stop operations until all unsafe acts and conditions are corrected.

Employers are required to pay workers their regular wages during the stoppage, adopt flexible work arrangements or temporary reassignments, and secure building clearance from the Office of the Building Official or other relevant authorities before operations may resume.

Non-compliance may incur daily penalties of up to ₱100,000.

Workers’ group files complaint

The order followed a complaint filed by the BPO Industry Employees Network (BIEN)-Cebu against 10 BPO firms that allegedly compelled employees to remain at their posts or return to work immediately after the earthquake.

Some workers were reportedly required to return within 30 minutes despite ongoing aftershocks and without structural clearance, while others were offered double pay or threatened with disciplinary action, wage deductions, or suspension if they refused.

The group also cited blocked emergency exits, lack of medical and psychological assistance, and absence of safety briefings during evacuation.

One case involved a pregnant worker who had to descend several flights of stairs without assistance.

“Some employees were marked as absent, lost attendance bonuses, or were suspended after choosing to go home,” BIEN-Cebu said, adding that some were also made to sign non-disclosure agreements barring them from discussing the incident on social media.

Buenafe confirmed that four BPO companies are already under investigation following the complaints.

Cebu City Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña has convened a dialogue with labor groups, building administrators, and BPO representatives to strengthen workplace safety and disaster response protocols.

Under Republic Act 11058, workers have the right to refuse unsafe work without fear of retaliation, and employers are mandated to suspend operations until competent authorities certify that workplaces are safe for resumption.