Looks like call centers staying

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz has welcomed the defeat in the United States Senate of House Resolution No. 3696, or the “United States Call Center Worker and Protection Act,” which would have prohibited American companies from setting up call centers in foreign countries, including the Philippines.

Baldoz said the defeat of the measure was a welcome development that augured well for the Philippines’ flourishing business process outsourcing (BPO) sector.

“While we have been vigilant and proactive in implementing measures that could mitigate the impact of the legislative proposal had it been pushed into law, the US Senate decision is very much welcome news,” Baldoz said.

“This means more BPO companies can expand their businesses in the Philippines and generate much needed employment for our work force,” she said.

The bill, aimed at keeping jobs in the United States by rewarding companies that move their operations back to that country, was officially defeated on July 19 by a vote of 56-42, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said in a statement.

At least 60 votes were required in the US Senate for the bill to be enacted into law, it added.

The Philippines is considered the top destination for BPOs, particularly those that provided call center services.

According to the DOLE, the country’s IT-BPO industry generated more than $11 billion in revenue in 2011 and employed almost 640,000 Filipinos. By 2016, BPOs are expected to generate $25 billion in revenue and employ 1.3 million. Tina G. Santos