MANILA, Philippines – “Joseph Ryan,” a former call center agent who contracted the human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV), asked the public not to judge his previous profession.
He made the statement as a recent study showed how more gay and bisexual workers in the country are getting with HIV due to unprotected sex.
Joseph Ryan has yet to reveal his true identity to the public. In a 2-minute video clip showed by the Association of Call Center and BPO Agents of the Philippines (ACCAP) to ABS-CBN News, he wore a white mask and covered his head and body with a black cloth.
“Ang pakiusap ko lamang po ay huwag ninyo kaming husgahan sa pagiging call center agent (All I ask of you is not to condemn us just because we’re call center agents),” the 20-year-old said in the video.
In the video, Joseph Ryan shared how he used to be “young and careless.” A call center agent for 2 years in Ortigas, he said he had multiple sex partners and got HIV from a casual sexual encounter with a nurse he met at a street party.
“The reason why I contracted HIV was because I did not practice safe sex. I apologize to my family, friends, patawarin ninyo po ako (please forgive me),” Joseph Ryan lamented.
“Please be protected, please practice safe sex,” he added.
‘Voice’ of call center agents?
ACCAP, an organization working with party-list group Aksyon Magsasaka Partido Tinig ng Masa (AKMA-PTM), aims to address the needs of call center agents in the Philippines.
Kevin Carreon, ACCAP spokesperson and a former call center agent, said Joseph Ryan sent him an email asking for emotional and financial support as he continues to undergo treatment. To this end, the group has put up a hotline (546-0691) for call center agents with HIV.
Here, call center agents with HIV can ask for assistance on where to get medical treatment, among others.
According to ACCAP, most call center agents tend to party excessively given their very late shifts, making them highly prone to diseases such as HIV. The group stressed, however, that other jobs pose the same threat as well. Report from Nina Corpuz, ABS-CBN News
September 18 –
International Equal Pay Day
“Increase wages now,
more than other cost items.
For widespread, practical equality!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association.
Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands
#Report Corruption #SearchPosts #TakePicturesVideos
October –
Monthly Observances:
Industry and Commerce Safety Month
National Statistics Month
Local Government Month
Consumer Welfare Month
Cooperative Month
National Quality and Productivity Improvement Month
National Health and Wellness Tourism Month
National Indigenous Peoples Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 1: Elderly Filipino Week
Week 2: National Health Education Week
Local Government Week
National Mental Health Week
October 17-23:
National Week for Overcoming Extreme Poverty
October 18 – 24:
United Nations Week
Last Week:
Nurses’ Week
Consumers’ Protection Week
Week of the 4th Sunday:
Barrio Farmers’ Week
Daily Observances:
First Monday (Oct 4): Universal Children’s Day i
n the Philippines
Oct 5: National Teachers’ Day
Oct 10: Local Government Day
Third Thursday (Oct 14): Conflict Resolution Day
Oct 21: Tenants’ Emancipation day
Oct 24: United Nations Day
Oct 29: National Indigenous People’s Thanksgiving Day
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