Occupational health risks in the outsourcing industry are likely to increase as more outsourcing firms lay off employees while increasing work hours of those left behind, the Ecumenical Institute for Labor Education and Research, Inc. said Wednesday.

“It has come to our attention that some outsourcing companies are already employing reduced workforce while encouraging multitasking and additional unpaid work hours which will further distress the health of the employees,” said Anna Leah Escresa-Colina, Deputy Executive Director of Eiler.
 
In 2008, Eiler conducted research on call centers which focused on call center companies servicing the airline, railway, bus, cruise ship/ ferry industry and logistics, goods and transport industries. The research found out that the occupational health risks from graveyard shifts, long working hours, period of break time, very cool temperatures in work areas, and high work stress due to high quota are very serious and potentially life-threatening.
 
Most of the respondents experienced sleeping problems, eye strain, overall fatigue, headaches, chest and back pains, voice problems and mental stress. Other health hazards are work stress, work time, and irrational behavior of customers.
 
 “Despite such high occupational health risks in call centers, clinical services are found to be wanting especially during graveyard shifts,” said Escresa-Colina. In 2007, a stress-induced death of a call center agent was reported in the media.