Startups in the Philippines raise US$1.03 billion

The Philippine Venture Capital Report 2022 said local startups raised US$1.03 billion for funding in 2021, a 179% increase year-on-year.
Government called to upskill and reskill workers in the Philippines

To reduce job mismatches, the government needs to have in place more training programmes so that workers can keep pace with digital transformation.
Workers in the Philippines wants intervention on return-to-work order

They have proposed a 50%-75% office capacity and the implementation of a reduced workweek while proceeding with a work-from-home arrangement.
Fewer firms in the Philippines keen on expansion

The percentage of businesses planning on an expansion in the second quarter this year has dropped to 20.8% from 23.2% in the previous survey.
Some employees in the Philippines unwilling to return to workplaces

One fifth of business processing outsourcing (BPO) workers would rather quit their jobs than return to offices.
Flexible work policies for government workers in the Philippines

In a move that could potentially herald the 4-day work week, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) will be issuing a policy for flexible work.
Return to office trending in the Philippines

Several major business groups and companies are backing the government’s move to get employees to return to their workplaces.
Unemployment rate lowest since January 2020 in the Philippines

The unemployment rate in January was 6.4%, the lowest in two years or since the 5.3% in January 2020 before the pandemic began.
4-day workweek to be decided by companies in the Philippines

Instead of the government issuing a blanket four-day workweek mandate, companies will decide whether to adopt this practice themselves.
DOLE calls for 3 months of wages subsidy in the Philippines

A wage subsidy worth P24 billion (US$459 million) has been proposed to counter the impact of rising oil prices on workers.
MSMEs in the Philippines need more subsidies than financing

MSMEs generally are risk-averse to loans, and many belong to the informal sector, or are unbanked, said the representative of Marikina City.
Minimum wage hike considered in the Philippines

Labour secretary Silvestre Bello III has ordered a nation-wide review of minimum wage as oil prices continue to spike globally.
Jobs creation a priority for the Philippines in 2022

In conjunction with the National Economic Recovery Strategy, the Employers Confederation of the Philippines has pledged to create 1 million jobs.
DOLE urged to probe red-tagging and harassment in the Philippines

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has urged the Philippine government to better address trade union rights violations in the country.
The Philippine government urged to help repatriated migrant workers

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has said the unprecedented return of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) is creating growing challenges.
Bill for “right to disconnect” filed in the Philippines

If House Bill 10717 is enacted, it could be against the law for employers to contact their staff outside working hours.
Calls to increase wages in Philippines seen as untimely

Although the country sees some signs of recovery, the situation still remains “very unstable”, said a labour official.
Call for faster pay hikes for low-paid workers in the Philippines

Labour group Partido Manggagawa (PM) has urged companies to raise wages of low-paid workers faster than those who earn higher salaries.
5-day paid pandemic leave proposed in the Philippines

Sen. Leila De Lima has called on Congress to pass a law that mandates paid leave of five days for workers who contract COVID-19.
Bill to protect workers’ rest hours proposed in the Philippines

The proposed bill will penalise employers who intrude on workers’ “rest hours” and to prevent tasks and meetings from encroaching on personal time.
Employers urged to grant paid quarantine leave in the Philippines

Employers are encouraged to grant paid leave for workers who have contracted COVID-19 and need to be quarantined.
P$1 billion of cash aid to be disbursed to workers in the Philippines

Some 200,000 formal sector workers affected by pandemic-led restrictions in Metro Manila and other regions are set to receive P5,000 in cash aid.
Companies in the Philippines urged to reskill and upskill workers

The government is focusing on sector development, identifying skills that are in demand and needed by industries as they adapt to pandemic-driven changes.
Firms in the Philippines encouraged to implement WFH

Government agencies also urged companies to provide sufficient assistance for individuals who are undergoing quarantine and isolation.
P250-million fund assists startups for job creation in the Philippines

The Department of Trade and Industry has partnered with the National Development Co to set up a P250-million (US$4.9-million) fund for local startups.
4.7 million displaced workers supported in the Philippines

Altogether, the government has disbursed PHP26.1 billion worth of social protection assistance under various programmes.
Most workers in the Philippines will receive 13th-month pay

More than 80% of employers have given their workers their 13th-month pay as required by labour laws, or will do so in January.
Women and youth found to bear brunt of job losses amid pandemic

These workers were more likely to lose their jobs because they dominated sectors that were hard-hit, like hotels and restaurants, wholesale, and retail.
Businesses increase hiring as economy reopens in the Philippines

The employment outlook index is 24.5% for the first quarter of next year compared to the previous quarter’s 6.2%.
Concern over 7 million underemployed workers in the Philippines

This is defined by the Department of Labour and Employment as workers in part-time roles looking for longer working hours or higher-paying jobs.