The Philippine call center sector of the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry saw a hiring spike during the lockdown in Luzon due to an increase in phone calls from customers stuck at home. Call center workers were in high demand compared to a general decrease in job postings in other industries.

Jobstreet Philippines country manager Philip Gioca said call centers continue to move forward and provide jobs. On Jobstreet, 22,795 call center jobs for fresh graduates were posted from March 15 to April 30. This is equivalent to 41 percent of the total hiring opportunities in the online employment site.

Philippine Call Center Jobs

Call centers make up a huge chunk of the BPO industry, one of the country’s top dollar earners and economic pillars. BPOs were among those exempted by the government from quarantine rules as long as their employers provided accommodation or shuttle service.

Besides call center jobs, the government and education sectors posted 8,105 and 4,696 listings, respectively, making up a 15 percent and 9 percent share.

The job placement survey was conducted during the 45-day enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila when most businesses were shuttered, which should have slowed down hiring. The lockdown was extended to the entire Luzon in March 15 but by May 1, only 10 areas including NCR, Cebu City and Pampanga, remained under ECQ. The rest of the country was placed under more relaxed quarantine.

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