The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Davao City Field Office has reminded employers that they cannot compel employees to report to work if there is imminent danger at the workplace like in the aftermath of the strong earthquake that was felt in the city.

The reminder came after a concerned employee of a BPO company in the city sent a video to GMA Regional TV One Mindanao showing visible cracks on walls and fallen cement debris in the building where the company holds office, after the magnitude 7.4 and 6.8 twin earthquakes on October 10, 2025.

According to the employee who requested anonymity, they were allegedly instructed by their employer to return to work despite fears that the condition of the building might worsen if more tremors would be felt.

GMA Regional TV One Mindanao tried to reach out to the building management but is yet to receive a response, as of this writing.

The Office of the City Building Official (OCBO) said buildings A, B, and C of the structure remain yellow-tagged, which means partially restricted for use.

“Naay portion sa usa ka building nga naa tay nakita nga hazard unya gi-restrict nato ang use particular lang didto sa portion nato,” OCBO Office-in-Charge, Ar. Khashayar Toghyani, said.

The DOLE-Davao City Field Office said an inspection of the BPO company offices was scheduled for October 21, 2025.

“We have already sent our labor inspectors to conduct investigation occupational safety and health investigation atong susihon kung naa bay nalapas nga balaod ang company,” DOLE Davao City Field Office Head, Atty. Connie Torralba, said.

Torralba added that employees have the right to refuse to work if there is imminent danger in the workplace.

“Si employee naa siya’y right to refuse to work on the grounds of imminent danger. Di siya pwede mapugos sa employer nga motrabaho. Let’s say, for example, visible ang cracks so imminent gyud ang danger and di pud siya ma-sanction administratively, meaning, to say dili siya ma-dismiss, dili siya ma-terminate, dili siya ma-suspend. No work, no pay applies by virtue of disasters, weather disturbances,” Torralba said.

Torralba said DOLE may issue a work stoppage order to employers who insist on making employees work despite obvious hazards at the workplace. She encouraged employers to implement work-from-home arrangements, instead, whenever possible.

Meanwhile, displaced workers or those whose employment was affected by the suspension of work due the earthquake may seek assistance from DOLE to avail of programs under TUPAD (Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers).