The work performed while commuting or in an alternative work environment constitutes regular work, says the Philippines Labour Department.
By 2028, work-from-home (WFH) and hybrid work arrangements will create 1.1 million new jobs and generate billions more in revenue in the Philippines.
House Bill 615, also known as the Freelance Workers Protection Act, was unanimously adopted by the House labour and employment committee.
The Department of Labour and Employment has signed an order that more clearly defines WFH workplaces and the work performed by employees.
A new government agency has been set up to conduct tech and skills mapping to identify skills gaps of the country's workers.
A 70:30 hybrid work ratio (70% onsite and 30% work-from-home) has been recommended to the government to sustain economic recovery.
Employees of IT and business process management (IT-BPM) firms may resign if the government pushes for a return to 100% on-site work.
The government has been urged to create better paying jobs for employees aged 15 to 30, who earn the lowest wages in the country.
Workers in both private and public sectors may soon be granted a 10-day bereavement leave with full pay if a proposed bill becomes law.
The Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECoP) has called for measures to protect employers’ rights to manage their businesses and workers.
Employers have called on the government to reform outdated regulations and rethink existing investment incentives towards investment-led economic growth.
Growing micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) will help create job opportunities in the country, said non-profit organisation Go Negosyo.
The hiring and retaining of workers past retirement age should not be mandated and instead be left to the discretion of employers.
A new bill seeks to protect workers who have been laid off by providing assistance during periods of unemployment.
Workers aged 65 and above increased to 38.2% in June, up from 34.9% in May, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
A new bill has been filed to repeal the compulsory retirement age of 65 years to allow employees to continue working if they want and are able to.
A new bill to prepare more Filipinos for jobs through education and training on digital skills has lapsed into law, said Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri.
A lawmaker has filed a bill pushing for a 14th month pay for all employees in the public and private sectors amid rising inflation.
Employers that are signatories to the 1 Million Jobs (1MJ) manifesto will flesh out their plans and strategies to create quality employment.
Besides upskilling workers, the government also intends to address the jobs mismatch issue and boost jobs creation in the country.
Under the country’s regulations, at least 1% of all positions in government agencies, offices, or corporations should be reserved for PWDs.
The Philippines’ labour department eyes private sector assistance for worker benefits to alleviate rising cost of living.
Firms are encouraged to tap into Philippine Skills Framework to help their employees improve their hard and soft skills.
Government agencies can now implement alternative work arrangements at any time for some 1.7 million employees regardless of their status of appointment.
Starting from June 15, new flexible work arrangements (FWA) in the public sector will cover 1.7 million employees.
Wage hikes ranging between P30 (US$0.78) and P110 (US$2.86) are set to take effect in at least 14 regions this month.
This comes as work hours globally have fallen in Q1’2022 by 3.8%, as compared to Q4’2019, an equivalent of 112 million full-time jobs.
MSMEs account for over 99% of the country’s registered businesses, and generate about 63% of total jobs.
Companies are also encouraged to ensure that workforce education matches the acceleration of digital technology.
In Metro Manila, the revised minimum wage rate will be effective June 4, while the new wage rate will take effect on June 5 in Western Visayas.
