A FACE OFF between BPO giant Sitel Philippines and disgruntled employees is set on Monday, July 31, at the Baguio City Council where the issue will be taken up by the body in response to allegations of employees on irregularities.
The move was made by Councilor Art Allad-iw who has formally invited representatives of the Sitel Philippines Corporation, the regional office of the Department Of Labor And Employment as well as employees of the company who have made the allegations.
The summons stemmed from complaints of the newly formed Sitel Philippines-Baguio Association of Rank and File Workers (Spark), composed of employees of Sitel Philippines-Baguio, alleging a labor practice controversy surrounding the supposed “redeployment program” which they claimed as inhuman and demotion to several employees from permanent and regular employees to floating status.
Spark, in a statement, detailed what they alleged as harassment by the company which fortifies their resolve to go against the company’s redeployment program and fight for employees rights.
Spark added it has been 35 days since the issue has been ongoing.
“Walang malinaw na naging sagot ang Sitel management para solusyunan ang mga ito. Sa halip ay patuloy ang harassment nito sa mga empleyado lalo na sa mga lider at pinaghihinalaang kasapi ng Spark Workers at sa petisyong isinasagawa nito (Sitel management has not given a clear answer to solve this. But instead it keeps on harassing its employees, especially its leaders and suspected members of Spark Workers, and the petition it will conduct),” the Spark statement said.
Allad-iw, in his resolution, said there is a need to know the truth as to the allegations in order to come up with concrete solutions and actions that will aid the City Council in future legislations.
The case of Vincent Toca is now being heard at the National Conciliation and Mediation Board and the Department of Labor and Employment.
Spark said the company has since absorbed 53 employees which they tag as a victory for workers.
Spark said the battle does not end with the absorption of the employees and will continue to fight for salaries, benefits and security of tenure.
“Dahil patuloy pa ring ipinapatupad ng Sitel ang mga anti-empleyadong patakaran gaya ng redeployment scheme sa mga regular na empleyadong apektado ng mga nagsasarang accounts. Gayun din ang redeployment o tuwirang pagtatanggal sa mga empleyadong hindi daw pumapasa sa metrics (Because Sitel is still implementing its anti-employee rules like the redeployment scheme in regular employees with closing accounts. It’s the same redeployment to those who did not pass the metrics),” the Spark statement added.
