By Alex P. Vidal
“You get whatever accomplishment you are willing to declare.”—Georgia O’Keeffe
ILOILO City Councilor Candice Magdalene Tupas has a beautiful mind.
Amid the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic where thousands of Ilonggos have lost their jobs, she was able to think of the welfare of job applicants and employees by calling on the city’s business sector to provide them more accessible avenues for job applicants and employees
Tupas, a physician and wife of former Councilor Nielex, highlighted the protection of the health of vulnerable workers in the city as an “urgent task” in a privilege speech during the regular session of the Iloilo City Council on Wednesday, reported Joseph B.A. Marzan in the Daily Guardian.
“During these difficult times, it is (our) utmost priority to strengthen the capacity of our healthcare system in order to control the outbreak. However, I am raising the need to protect the vulnerable workers which for me is also an urgent task,” Tupas was quoted in Marzan’s report on August 27.
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She reportedly encouraged companies in the city to adapt more “practical” approaches to job-seeking and job applications.
Tupas said: “Economic reactivation should be backed by stronger employment policies and comprehensive social protection systems. One concern is for a more accessible job-seeking system for workers. I strongly encourage companies to offer an online interview for applicants. This measure is practical for aspiring employers as well as for the employees, as social distancing is effective against contracting diseases.”
Tupas also mentioned the confirmed COVID-19 cases which were traced to a business process outsourcing (BPO) firm in Mandurriao district, adding that their job as agents have affected their physical and mental health, reported Marzan.
“Recently, our city was saddened by the increased number of COVID-positive cases of call center agents. A lot of families and households were affected, call centers or BPOs is one of the fastest-growing sectors, driving employment and economic growth in our city today. Surveys show that workers in the BPO sector experience high levels of stress, and its related disorders primarily due to its contemporary work settings,” she said further.
“The nature of the job forced our workers to live as Ilonggos by day and Westerners after sundown, with changed identities and locations to suit their international customers.”
BPO workers’ line of work have shown significant signs of job stress, which in turn, affect their circadian rhythm, disclosed the lady councilor.
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Tups also urged the BPOs, the Iloilo City government, and other businesses in the city to provide alternative work arrangements such as the Work-From-Home scheme as well as additional health-related benefits such as supplements and periodic health checks.
Tupas said: “I respectfully encourage all BPOs and Iloilo City to provide a more favorable work arrangement and setting to their employees at this time of (the) pandemic. Those assigned on graveyard shift must be offered a work from home arrangement. This will enable them to get their much-needed rest in this time, when health is the most compromised aspect of everyone’s (lives). I also urge these BPOs to provide additional health-related benefits to their workers such as vitamins and immunity boosters. Periodic health examination should also be taken for early detection and prevention of sickness.”
Tupas’ colleagues agreed unanimously to her proposed resolution urging businesses in the city to make online interviews available for job applicants.
She really has a beautiful mind.
(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo)
