CWA Statement on Tragic Fire at Philippine Call Center

The Communications Workers of America (CWA) expresses its solidarity and condolences to the families of the 37 workers who perished in the December 23 fire in the Research Now SSI call center in Davao, Philippines.

We join the families and Filipino labor organizations in their demands for a rigorous and transparent investigation into any possible safety lapses that may have contributed to the loss of life. We call on the government agencies to hold Research Now SSI, and the New City Commercial Center (NCCC) where the call center is located, responsible for any failings that may be identified in the investigation.

CWA has historically condemned aggressive off-shoring of call center work by U.S. companies in pursuit of low-wage labor, tax incentives, and lax legal requirements. The Research Now SSI tragedy is the outcome of exploitation of a workforce living in poverty, forced by economic necessity to work in conditions that led to death.

No worker should go to work to die.