MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR) warns that the Marcos administration “must be ready to protect Filipino call center workers who could be hit hard by the Keep Call Centers in America Act of 2025.”
The Act is part of Donald Trump’s movement to “Make America Great Again.” It encourages U.S. companies to keep call center jobs for American workers and business operations within the country. It also includes provisions about AI.
CTUHR’s Proposed Protective Actions
The labor rights group presents three recommendations on how the current administration can prepare for the bill’s possible effects.
- Defend BPO workers’ rights. Don’t let the U.S. bill [or AI development] be used as an excuse to ignore or violate the labor rights of ~1.9 million Filipinos in the BPO industry.
- Ensure fair treatment in layoffs. If job losses happen, employees must be given due process, notice, and compensation.
- Create alternative employment opportunities. Strengthen local industries and job creation efforts to reduce dependence on outsourced work.
For the third recommendation, CTUHR would like the Marcos administration to talk with the labor groups, the private sector, and industry experts about these two points:
- How to revive weaker industries, such as agriculture
- Consider a national industrialization program to help with domestic employment opportunities
