We, the undersigned, are workers of Alorica By the Bay (3 ECOM, MOA Complex, Pasay, Philippines).

On December 21, 2025, a fire broke out inside our workplace. What should have been a clear-cut emergency response turned into a night of terror, confusion, and neglect, followed by days of forced work resumption without proper government clearance, despite lingering smoke and toxic smell of rubber, health risks, and trauma.

Based on our collective testimonies and the documented incident report, we assert that our safety, health, and dignity as workers were gravely violated.

WHAT HAPPENED

1. The fire reportedly originated on the 6th floor, near work and sleeping areas.

2. Fire alarms were not audible on several floors, including sleeping quarters.

3. Sprinklers largely failed, with only one initially activated on the 6th floor.

4. Workers were not immediately evacuated; some were even prevented from leaving while smoke was already present.

5. Evacuation relied largely on co-workers, not management or safety officers.

6. Several workers experienced panic attacks, dizziness, breathing difficulty, and trauma.

7. Despite the incident, workers were ordered to return to work as early as the next day, without confirmed clearance from the BFP, DOLE, or LGU.

8. Toxic smoke and the smell of burnt rubber persisted for days, triggering asthma attacks, headaches, allergic rhinitis, and other illnesses.

9. Workers who chose not to report due to safety concerns faced wage loss, uncertainty, or intimidation.

10. Newly hired workers without HMO were initially told to shoulder medical costs themselves.

11. No systematic psychological debriefing, trauma care, or medical response was provided.

12. Some workers were mocked or dismissed by management when reporting symptoms.

13. Workers were transferred to other sites or required to report onsite without clear allowances, despite increased transportation and operational costs.

OUR DEMANDS

We demand from ALORICA MANAGEMENT:

1. Immediate work stoppage WITH PAY for all Alorica By the Bay workers until:
- Full inspection is conducted, and
- Official written clearance is issued by the BFP, DOLE, and the Pasay City LGU.

2. Immediately and retroactively pay:
- The full day’s salary of all workers who were asked or instructed not to report to work from December 21 to December 22, and whose attendance was wrongly tagged as Rest Day, no work, no pay, or otherwise rendered unpaid despite their readiness to work.
- The salaries of workers who refused to report on-site following the fire, from the date of the incident onward, on the basis of legitimate health, safety, and trauma concerns, in recognition of their right to refuse unsafe work without loss of income or retaliation.
- A minimum of thirty percent (30%) hazard pay, to be paid on top of regular wages, to workers who reported on-site despite the fire, lingering smoke, toxic odor, and unresolved safety risks.
- Guaranteed additional P2,000 allowance to workers who agreed or were directed to report to Techzone Ayala or other alternative sites, in consideration of disruption, longer commute, and additional physical, mental, and financial burden.

3. Immediate, free, and accessible psychological and psychiatric care, including trauma debriefing, counseling, and follow-up support for all affected workers.

4. Free and comprehensive medical care for all affected workers, including those without HMO, covering consultation, medication, diagnostics, and treatment related to the fire and smoke exposure.

5. Alternative work arrangements, without loss of pay or benefits, including:
- Work-from-home options or temporary site relocation
- Additional allowances to fully cover increased transportation, food, Internet, electricity, and other operational expenses caused by these changes.

6. Non-retaliation and non-penalization:
- No forced use of paid leaves
- No tagging of absences as “Rest Day” or “no work, no pay”
- No disciplinary action for workers who refuse unsafe work

We further demand from DOLE and the NATIONAL GOVERNMENT:

1. Immediate issuance of a WORK STOPPAGE ORDER if Alorica fails to voluntarily declare a paid work stoppage within 24 hours from the release of this petition.

2. Provision of medical, psychological, and financial assistance to affected workers if Alorica refuses or fails to provide:
- Paid leaves
- Medical and mental health care
- Emergency financial support

3. A full, transparent, and independent investigation into:
- The cause of the fire
- Failure of fire alarms, sprinklers, and evacuation protocols
- Management mishandling before, during, and after the incident
- The illegal resumption of work without government clearance
- Possible criminal negligence and OSH violations

4. Accountability: Hold responsible all company officers, safety officers, and decision-makers whose actions or inaction endangered workers’ lives and health.

OUR CALL
We call on the government to do its duty.
We call on Alorica to take responsibility, NOW.

Justice, safety, and dignity for Alorica By the Bay workers—NOW.