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Thursday, March 28, 2024

The rise of technology freelancers

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The gig economy in the Philippines is showing no signs of slowing down, according to Lars Wittig, IWG country manager for the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and South Korea.

IWG Philippines Inc. is the largest co-working space provider in the country and the company behind the Regus brand.

Based on Paypal’s estimate, as much as 2 percent of the Philippine population could be working as freelancers today. Solutions like Upwork and Online Jobs PH make it easier than ever to find the right person to swoop in and fill your company’s digital skills gap. 

“The digital revolution means that, for many online or software-based jobs it is no longer necessary for an employee to be within a commutable radius. In fact, they don’t even have to be in the same country,” says Wittig.

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More companies in the US, Australia and the UK are outsourcing digital work to freelancers in developing countries, and it is creating fresh career opportunities that previously did not exist, he says.

Tech-savvy remote workers in developing nations are taking up freelance work in areas like engine optimization, digital design, software development and computer programming, says Wittig.

These types of jobs bring a new source of income for Filipino professionals with specialized skills. An added benefit is that they don’t require lengthy, traffic-filled commutes. Instead, these roles let those who are trained for them work more flexibly, making employment possible for more people than ever.

Freelance tech work is also a solution for the rapidly growing group of educated, unemployed professionals in the country. Supplementing their education with IT training, enables graduates to take on digital freelance work that has been outsourced from overseas, allowing them to enter the job market.

“Digital outsourcing also empowers Filipinas. For those who have adopted domestic roles within their family, freelance tech roles allow them to work from home, so they can have control over the hours they work, rather than turning away from employment opportunities,” says Wittig.

Bangladesh is a great example of how digital outsourcing is a catalyst for thriving gig economies in developing countries. Thanks to a series of non-governmental initiatives promoting freelancing, and boosted connectivity across urban areas, the country is now the second-largest supplier of online labor in the world. 

Bangladesh accounts for 16 percent of all global freelance workers, who generate $100 million annually. It’s beaten only by India, which accounts for 24 percent of the world’s freelance workforce.

“The digitalization of developing countries, like the Philippines, is positive news for the global economy. It means businesses can call upon a wider pool of talented tech freelancers than ever before when they need a job done. This is quickly transforming the economic landscape of entire nations and the prospects of its citizens,” says Wittig.

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