Internet giant Google has confirmed that it pulled out an outsourced work from the Cebu operations of BPO firm Sykes after a few employees were caught converting online gift cards into bitcoins.
The Philippine office market has continued to grow “making it unique in the world,” according to real estate firm Leechiu Property Consultants (LPC) in a recent study on the performance of the office, residential, and tourism sectors in the first half of 2020.
Some regular employees of BPO companies were reportedly being put on "floating status" after coming into contact with Covid-19 patients and after offshore accounts pulled out their Philippine operations due to the global economic downturn.
It is not business as usual yet in the information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) space, but the sector continues to open job opportunities amid the pandemic, industry group IBPAP said.
Call center operator Alorica said it needs close to 4,000 jobs by end of July, saying the BPO industry continues to provide essential services even during a post-pandemic scenario.
Sen. Franklin M. Drilon warned that to treat POGOs as part of the BPO industry will be detrimental to the country's efforts to collect franchise tax owed to the government in 2019 by majority of the 60 licensed online gaming operators.
BPO firms were largely unprepared for a total work-from-home model, and had to overcome challenges related to Internet access, equipment transfers, and clearance requirements from clients.
The circular also provides work-from-home (WFH) arrangements, urging BPO companies to transfer the necessary equipment to facilitate WFH arrangements within the lockdown period.
