Alorica workers announce impending strike
For the first time in the Philippines outsourcing industry, workers of a business process outsourcing (BPO) firm have announced an impending strike. The Unified Employees of Alorica announced the strike to protest against what the union’s members allege are unjust labor practices and job insecurity. The union, which claims to have 1,500 Alorica call center agents as members, alleges that workers have been suffering from illegal dismissal, systematic attrition, and other labor standard violations. The union filed the notice of strike before the National Conciliation and Mediation Board on September 7. Alorica, however, continues not to recognize the workers’ union which is headed by Sara Prestoza, saying it will address the concerns of the employees individually. Prestoza called for public support as she stressed that there is a “prevailing hostile environment for unions in the BPO industry”.
