Category: General

A misleading title of the Philippine Collegian article states: “Should BPO workers thank Mar Roxas?”

I say misleading because I don’t think the article didn’t even answer the very question upon its title. That or perhaps I may have just missed the points he should have enumerated how Mar shouldn’t even be credited with the proliferation of the BPO industry in our country, you tell me.

The author further wrote (emphasis is mine):

And I don’t see why she wouldn’t be offended. The promotional video employs the same load of nonsense that justifies exploitative working conditions that many BPO workers have to face in exchange for wage premiums and standard benefits. This time, the spin is being used by a traditional politician whose presidential ambition matches neither his accomplishments nor his charisma.

The message is clear, though: the industry saved millions of jobless Filipinos from hunger and the need to leave their families to work overseas. Just ignore the fact that foreign-owned BPO companies took advantage of our country’s surplus of cheap labor so that they could keep their profit margins, or the fact that the entry of these companies into the Philippine economy precede even the start of Roxas’s career in national government.

So you think the foreign-owned companies are the evil here? Please don’t make it look like we are being exploited by these foreign companies. Filipinos needed jobs, they’re willing to outsource some (or many, as the case may be), law of supply and demand, the government provides for the infrastructure.

We should be thankful we had this opportunity. If you’re not up for it, no one is forcing you. But next time, before you whine about your job, be it in the BPO industry or otherwise, read this article.