Stress is silently killing our BPO workers

Philippines ranks number second in employee stress in Southeast Asia.

“Good day, how may I help you?” 1.82 million BPO employees uttered this, and yet they remain some of the people who need help. With the illusion of a high-paying job, they remain resilient and are forced to endure the constant pressure.

The data is heartbreaking. According to the 2025 Gallup State of the Global Workplace, the Philippines has the highest employee engagement in Southeast Asia—but we are also the loneliest. We rank 2nd in the region for stress because of graveyard shifts, health risks, and the isolation of living while the rest of the world sleeps.

From the lack of tailored health benefits to the struggle of having a voice through unions, the “high-pay illusion” is fading. We haven’t forgotten the Cebu incident where agents were forced back to their desks right after an earthquake. It’s a stark reminder that in some boardrooms, the “Service Level Agreement” matters more than human life.

Fortunately, though, their calls are getting answered. The BPO Workers’ Welfare and Protection Act is currently moving through the legislative process, promising a policy that ensures every agent is well taken care of.

But until the bill becomes a certified law, the silent suffering carries on. Every minute, BPO workers continue to trade their basic labor rights and well-being for a high salary that still isn’t enough.

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