Philippines call centre workers fighting back

Sitel is a business process outsourcing (BPO) firm which owns and runs call centres in the Philippines and globally. Their business model has been based on exploiting un-organised workers earning low wages by shifting call centres from unionised, high wage countries. The company is now threatening to sack 1,000 workers from its premises in the export processing zone of Baguio City. Members of the newly-formed Sitel Philippines Association of Rank and File Workers (SPARK) have taken to the streets to protest against these impending job losses, the continued casualisation of its workforce, and the intimidation of labour activists. The members of SPARK have received strong support from unions in New Zealand, while there is an international petition in support of their demands.

Sitel is a business process outsourcing (BPO) firm which owns and runs call centres in the Philippines and globally. Their business model has been based on exploiting un-organised workers earning low wages by shifting call centres from unionised, high wage countries. The company is now threatening to sack 1,000 workers from its premises in the export processing zone of Baguio City. Members of the newly-formed Sitel Philippines Association of Rank and File Workers (SPARK) have taken to the streets to protest against these impending job losses, the continued casualisation of its workforce, and the intimidation of labour activists. The members of SPARK have received strong support from unions in New Zealand, while there is an international petition in support of their demands.