No minors in call centers

THE Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) in Northern Mindanao will no longer allow below 18 years old applicants in call centers firm.

Labor Employment office chief Rodrigo Amora Deloso on Monday said the restriction was a response to a request from a Cebu principal, who sent a letter to Dole requesting to allow their technical courses graduates aged 15 to 17 years to work in all call centers.

“There are reasons why we won’t be allowing minors to be employed in call centers anymore; and the most important of which is the hazardous nature of call centers…,” Deloso said.

He said this move is pursuant to Republic Act 9231, which provides special protection to children against worst forms of child labor.

But Randy Mamuri, a 16-year-old high school student, condemned the said restriction, saying call centers can make him earn money even at a young age.

“My family can barely send me to school and I’ve always wanted to be a call center agent because it’s an opportunity to support my education,” said Mamuri, who shared that he won’t be enrolling next school opening due to financial problems.

Meanwhile, Deloso assured that they will have a strict implementation of the order because call center firms in the region are required to get certifications from their office to allow the employment of minors aged 15 to 17. (Nizam M. Pabil, MSU Intern)