Six business process outsourcing (BPO) companies in Cebu City have been investigated by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 7, following complaints on compromised safety of employees when a deadly quake rocked Cebu and neighboring provinces on September 30, 2025.

Based on reports received by DOLE 7, there were employees barred from seeking safety outdoors because of work demands.

There were workers issued a Notice to Explain and marked “Absent Without Official Leave” when they refused to return to their workstation.

The employees pointed out that the alleged intimidation happened while strong aftershocks were ongoing.

DOLE 7 immediately acted on the complaints and issued work stoppage against a company after establishing that there indeed was a violation committed against workers.

The stoppage was lifted as soon as the company complied with certain corrections made by DOLE 7 to meet required standards, rules, or conditions.

DOLE 7 is set to check other BPO companies.

Atty. Roy Buenafe, DOLE 7 regional director, said that companies must ensure workers’ safety is a priority over work-related demands in the event of disasters and calamities.

He urged BPO companies to revisit DOLE’s laws on occupational safety and wellbeing of workers, and workers' rights to say "no" to work under certain circumstances.