BIEN Philippines, a duly certified BPO employees association, explained that such shuttle services could help ensure the safety of call center agents and BPO employees especially since they work in shifting schedules and many in graveyard shifts.
By MARYA SALAMAT
Bulatlat.com
MANILA — The BPO Industry Employees Network (BIEN) with its individual members and chapters among the largest business processes outsourcing (BPO) and call centers across the country demanded yesterday FOR Free Shuttle Service to be deployed in strategic pick-up points near work places to residential areas for BPO workers.
BIEN Philippines, a duly certified BPO employees association by the Department of Labor & Employment (DOLE), explained that such shuttle services could help ensure the safety of call center agents and BPO employees especially since they work in shifting schedules and many in graveyard shifts. They clarify that as practiced already by some BPO companies, such shuttle services, which should be free of charge, must be provided by all BPO companies and required by the government.
In the recent spate of reported crimes, many BPO employees have been mugged, harassed and victimized by different crimes. Being on the road at ungodly hours, tired and sleepy, these employees have also become victims of traffic accidents. Experiences showed that BPO employees have also been stranded in floods as they were regularly compelled to report for work even when roads are barely passable due to flooding.
BIEN lauded the good practices of certain companies that provide free shuttle services, saying other companies should follow suit. “We commend the local government of Makati in its position to remove ‘unreasonable conditions’ set by LTFRB, which require a rider on the free shuttle service bound to Makati to present a purchased MRT ticket,” Ian Porquia, president of BIEN, said in a statement.
In Cebu, the city government recently urged BPO companies operating there to provide free transportation for employees and sleeping lounges at their offices to accommodate workers during critical periods. BIEN urges all BPO-centric cities and municipalities to also push for the same. 
