PLDT operations affected by DOLE order

PLDT Inc.’s operations are feeling the impact of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)’s order on the provision of the telco giant’s services, which included a mandate for a number of service contract providers to part ways with the company.

In a statement, PLDT yesterday dismissed allegations from labor groups that the company “terminated its service contracts with various agencies in order to circumvent the compliance order of the Department of Labor and Employment to regularize its contractual workers.”

PLDT said it did not terminate the service contracts as it was DOLE which has ordered 38 service contract providers of the company to cease and desist from providing services to PLDT.

This included PLDT’s call center and business process service providers, the company said.

PLDT has questioned the legality and validity of the DOLE order before the Court of Appeals (CA).

The company said 23 affected service contractors have also questioned the legality and validity of the DOLE order before the CA.

“While PLDT and the affected contractors await judicial relief from the CA, PLDT continues to carry out an orderly and effective intake process in response to the DOLE order. This process involves the proper identification of individuals named in the DOLE order and establishing their respective qualifications and fitness for work,” the company said. “In the meantime, PLDT is exerting every possible effort to address the needs of our customers despite the operational impact of the DOLE order on the provision of PLDT services. The company is putting in place various interim and long term measures to continue providing quality services to its customers and the public,” it added.