We, the undersigned BPO workers, strongly express our full support for House Bill 5166, the Magna Carta for BPO Workers, and call on Congress to immediately deliberate and pass this historic piece of pro-worker legislation.

For over two decades, the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry has been hailed as a “sunshine industry,” generating ₱38 billion in revenues in 2024, or 8.2% of the national GDP, and employing 1.82 million workers nationwide. Our labor fuels this multi-billion peso industry, yet our rights and welfare remain systematically neglected.

Despite our vital contribution to the economy, BPO workers endure race-to-the-bottom wages, union suppression, job insecurity, health and safety hazards, and exploitative working conditions. Many earn wages far below the family living wage, are placed on floating status without pay, and are subjected to mandatory overtime, rigid metrics, and inadequate rest breaks. During disasters, whether earthquakes like in September 30 Cebu Earthquake, typhoons, or pandemics—BPO workers are still forced to report to unsafe worksites, risking life and limb for corporate profit.

HB 5166 addresses these systemic injustices by:

1.Setting a national entry-level wage pegged at P36,000 and ensuring regular wage increases;

2.Banning floating status while hiring;

3.Mandating hazard pay, leave benefits, medical coverage, safe transportation, and work-from-home support;

4.Strengthening workers’ right to organize, protection from harassment and red-tagging, and prohibiting training bonds;

5.Requiring companies to comply with Occupational Safety and Health Standards, disaster protocols, and the Safe Spaces Act;

6.Ensuring genuine representation of BPO workers in tripartite bodies and policy-making.

The Magna Carta for BPO Workers is not just a bill — it is a long overdue recognition of our dignity and rights as workers. It is a direct response to years of struggles, complaints, and organizing by BPO workers nationwide.

We therefore call on:

1.The President of the Republic of the Philippines to CERTIFY HB 5166 AS URGENT, recognizing the crucial role of BPO workers in the national economy and the urgent need to address their long-standing issues;

2.The House Committee on Labor and Employment to immediately hear and prioritize HB 5166;

3.All members of the House of Representatives and Senate to co-author and pass the bill without watering down its pro-worker provisions;

Fellow BPO workers to organize, unite, and fight for the passage of this bill.

The time for token recognition is over. We build this industry. We keep it running. We deserve nothing less than justice, security, and dignity.

SUPPORT HOUSE BILL 5166!

PASS THE MAGNA CARTA FOR BPO WORKERS NOW!

CERTIFY HB 5166 AS URGENT!

#BPOWorkersFightBack

#BPOWorkersUnite

#MagnaCartaForBPOWorkersNow

#PassHB5166