Senator Sherwin Gatchalian urged the government and private sector on Sunday, June 29, to implement flexible working arrangements for young Filipino employees. He noted that such setups have become increasingly popular among younger workers.
Gatchalian emphasized that the Department of Labor and Employment should adopt stronger policies to support remote work and protect digital workers, including freelancers. He called for targeted skills training to prepare Filipinos for emerging digital roles.
The senator warned that failing to adapt to the preferences of the new generation of workers could lead to “losing our youth to opportunities abroad or to employers better aligned with their needs.” He highlighted that the Philippines is among the top five countries identified by job-seeking platform Upwork as a source of virtual assistants for foreign employers, a role that allows for full-time remote work.
“Kailangan nating sumabay sa mabilis na pagbabago ng panahon upang matiyak ang mas mataas na productivity at maayos na kinabukasan para sa ating manggagawa,” he stated, emphasizing the need to adapt to the changing times to ensure higher productivity and a promising future for workers.
Republic Act No. 11165, or the Telecommuting Act, has already institutionalized telecommuting on a voluntary basis in the private sector, ensuring equal treatment for remote and onsite employees.
While the world shifted to remote work during the COVID-19 lockdowns, many companies have since reverted to requiring on-site work, either daily or in a hybrid model. Senate Bill No. 136 and House Bill No. 6718, which were filed in the 19th Congress to institutionalize protections for freelancers, will need to be reintroduced in the 20th Congress.
