The BPO Industry Employees Network (BIEN), established as a voice for Philippines’ call centre workers, sought to intensify organising across the massive business process outsourcing (BPO) industry. With over 1.3 million workers facing insecure work, low wages, and workplace harassment, BIEN worked to expand its reach and strengthen worker power.
Key achievements
Through focused organising work, BIEN:
- Hired six full-time organisers across Metro Manila, Cebu, Baguio and Bacolod
- Welcomed 367 new members from different contact centres
- Established new chapters in Davao City (8 members) and Iloilo City (16 members)
- Supported formation of three union organising committees including:
- Convergys-Concentrix trade union
- JP Morgan Chase Employees Association
- Sitel Philippines Association of Rank-and-File Employees
- Launched the One Voice Manifesto outlining six major worker demands
- Conducted worker education programmes on rights and organising
- Provided legal support in unfair labour practices and wage disputes
- Formed two interest-based groups: Artists in BPO United for Social Change (AUX) and League of Environmentally Aware Folks (LEAF)
Challenges faced
- Limited resources for organiser support
- Need for expanded paralegal services
- Difficulty maintaining regular newsletter production (only one of four planned issues published)
- Complex logistics of organising across multiple cities
- Barriers to forming new workplace unions
Project impact
BIEN successfully:
- Held first BPO Employees National Summit
- Launched #SafeWorkplacesNow campaign following NCCC Mall Fire
- Supported United Employees of Alorica (600 new members)
- Conducted five regional BPO Workers Speak UP! workshops
- Developed three-year National Action Plan
- Built sustainable organising structures in key cities
