Philippines to consult BPOs on U.S. bill to reshore call center jobs
MANILA, PHILIPPINES — The Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will convene business process outsourcing (BPO) leaders to assess potential impacts and craft a response plan to a proposed United States bill that seeks to bring call center jobs back to America.
Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque confirmed during a Senate budget hearing that the department will meet with industry representatives following concerns over the “Keep Call Centers in America” bill.
According to a BusinessWorld report, the U.S. legislation, introduced earlier this year, aims to restrict outsourcing by U.S.-based firms—a move that could shake one of the Philippines’ most vital economic sectors.
DTI seeks industry insights amid U.S. reshoring concerns
“We do not want that to happen,” Roque told BusinessWorld. “I have to meet with the BPO companies to check what their sentiments are and what they plan to do.”
She added that while the bill has yet to pass, proactive discussions are essential: “We are not sure yet if it is really going to happen, but… it is really best that we get to meet them because… we want to find solutions, and… they will be able to tell us their recommendations.”
Philippine Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, who raised the issue during the hearing, described the proposal as “a clear and pressing danger” to the Philippines’ outsourcing industry.
“We earn close to about $40 billion a year, so if these call centers shrink and eventually disappear, talagang patay tayo (it will kill us),” he said, warning that around two million Filipino workers could be affected.
Business leaders urge calm as reshoring debate heats up
Business leaders are calling for a measured response, noting that reshoring may not be as practical as it sounds. Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman George Barcelon said the U.S. should “think twice because artificial intelligence won’t be able to completely eliminate humans.”
He added that the cost of operating call centers domestically in the U.S. could “shoot up with their pay, which is 4-5x higher than offshoring.”
While the DTI’s planned consultations mark a proactive step, analysts note that reshoring pressures reflect a broader global debate over balancing domestic job creation with economic efficiency.
The Philippines, as one of the world’s top outsourcing hubs, has weathered similar policy storms before by leveraging its skilled workforce and adaptive business climate. If anything, the current reshoring debate underscores the need for local firms to innovate and diversify their services, ensuring the country remains indispensable in the evolving global outsourcing landscape.
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