SEN. Camille Villar has filed Senate Bill (SB) 1401, which seeks to ensure the welfare and protection of business process outsourcing (BPO) workers nationwide. ​In the bill’s explanatory note, Villar cited Article II, Section 18, and Article XIII, Section 3 of the 1987 Constitution, which guarantee workers’ rights to humane working conditions, security of tenure, and fair compensation. ​“BPO workers must be treated with fairness, dignity, and humanity. Their rights and benefits, as provided under the Labor Code of the Philippines, must be upheld at all times,” Villar said. ​SB 1401 seeks to address reported exploitative labor practices in the BPO sector by prohibiting unreasonable company bonds and excessive fees imposed on employees who resign before completing a fixed employment period. It also bans all forms of discrimination in the workplace, covering ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, race, religion, political beliefs, disability, pregnancy, and other protected statuses. ​The proposed law reinforces the State’s obligation to ensure that labor relations promote industrial peace and shared responsibility between employers and workers. ​The BPO industry remains one of the Philippines’ most significant sources of employment and foreign exchange earnings, with more than 1.4 million Filipinos employed in the sector. Villar noted that the industry’s growth has been fueled by the country’s English proficiency, cultural adaptability, and competitive labor costs, making it a preferred outsourcing destination worldwide. ​Citing data from Statista, the senator said that the local BPO market is expected to reach $770.68 million by the end of 2025 and grow at an annual rate of 6.71 percent, reaching a market volume of $1.07 billion by 2030. ​Villar stressed that while the government continues to offer incentives and ease of doing business to attract BPO investments, it must also ensure that workers receive the complete protection they deserve. ​“To sustain the country’s leadership in the global outsourcing market, we must balance business competitiveness with social responsibility,” she said.