By Jenina P. Ibañez, Reporter
BUSINESS PROCESS outsourcing (BPO) firm Transcom Worldwide AB suspended its Metro Manila operations amid the Luzon-wide community quarantine.
Transcom Global English Region Chief Executive Officer Mark Lyndsell said in a mobile message sent by staff on Tuesday that the company is prioritizing the safety of employees.
“We temporarily suspended our operations in Manila and made sure our employees were able to travel safely and secured in their homes,” he said.
President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Monday announced an enhanced community quarantine in Luzon, which suspends public transportation and implements strict home quarantine.
Business process outsourcing firms, under the community quarantine memorandum, can remain operational under conditions that strict social distancing is applied and offices retain a minimal workforce. The offices are also required to provide temporary accommodations for employees by March 18.
The company is running payroll early.
Transcom’s five Philippine locations run a third of its global operations.
Mr. Lyndsell said work from home arrangements for some personnel had been in effect prior to the quarantine declaration.
“We have been sharing some of our work with other local and global sites,” he said.
Transcom also has Philippine sites in Bacolod and Iloilo.
“Transcom will follow the guidelines set by the government specifically for BPO companies’ continued operations in Metro Manila and we will be ready to resume work immediately within the given parameters.”
Suspension began Monday, while the date of resumption has not yet been announced.
The story has been updated to reflect a clarification made by Transcom.
