FIRB urged to change BPO WFH rules
The Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB) is being asked to change its latest Work-From-Home (WFH) directive to Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) firms in the Philippines.
Earlier this month, FIRB issued a memo that said outsourcing agencies in economic zones should only have 90% of their workforce under a WFH arrangement, requiring the other 10% to work on-site. The agency added that violations of this rule may result in the suspension, withdrawal, or cancellation of tax incentives of the companies.
Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Director General Charito Plaza said that this rule may pose a problem to the sector as most employees are still hesitant to return to their offices because of the pandemic.
Plaza is requesting the FIRB to base their remote working arrangements on revenues instead of the number of employees in the office, allowing BPO firms to be more flexible with their operations.
Meanwhile, the IT & Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) also asked for reconsideration of the directive as it may put the health and safety of on-site employees at risk.
