Occupational health, safety of call center workers sought in DOLE guidelines
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has issued policy guidelines requiring the implementation of occupational health and safety programs in all call centers nationwide, recently.
Secretary Arturo D. Brion, in signing the Department Circular No. 1, series of 2008, said the policy guidelines should guide call center firms in the formulation of an occupational safety and health (OSH) program and compliance with OSH standards and other related OSH issuances that are being enforced to protect workers across industries from life-threatening hazards in workplaces.
He said all call centers should comply with the guidelines not only to ensure the safety and well-being of their workers but also the productivity and growth of the call center industry itself.
The DOLE press report disclosed that foremost among the concerns affecting the health of call center workers is the weather prevailing in a tropical country like the Philippines. It is usually very cold inside a call center but hot outside of it, and the combination may produce health problems such as cough, cold dry, itchy throat, and other voice problems. At the same time, call center workers perform their job using computers and telephones uninterrupted for long hours with minimal movements that may cause eye strain, hearing problems, and musculo skeletal symptoms. The workers are also subjected to stress and pressure due to quotas and constant monitoring. Graveyard shifts, on the other hand, pose a threat to women workers' physical safety and reproductive capability.
To assist call centers, the Occupational Safety and Health Center of the DOLE shall coordinate the provision of training, information, and technical assistance in the implementation of the safety and health program in line with the Zero Accident Program.
The DOLE Press report disclosed that the Labor Inspectorate of DOLE Regional Offices shall be responsible in the enforcement and monitoring of call centers' compliance with the provisions of the Circular. (PIA)