7 Philippine firms among world’s best employers

MANILA, Philippines — Seven Philippine-listed companies are among the world’s best employers.

Forbes’s sixth annual World’s Best Employers list was compiled in partnership with market research company Statista.

The seven Philippine companies are Jollibee Foods Corp. at 106th place, with 10, 959 employees; San Miguel Food and Beverage at 174th with 45,522 employees; Ayala Corp. at 581st with 85,869; SM Investments Corp. at 605th with 9,000 employees; Metrobank at 637th with 13,651 employees; Alliance Global Group at 688th with 38,950 employees and Aboitiz Equity Ventures at 740th with 35 057 employees.

The list was based on results of independent surveys of roughly 150,000 employees in more than 55 countries across the globe.

Participants of the surveys were asked to rate employers according to various topics such as image, trust, gender equality, corporate social responsibility, culture, and bene?ts.

SMIC president and CEO Frederic DyBuncio welcomed the company’s inclusion in the list.

“We thank Forbes for this citation. This reflects our commitment to make SM the best work place for our dedicated and hard-working people. We also give recognition to our employees in helping us achieve our mission and vision and sharing the strong values that make us SM,” he said.

SMIC said it keeps its employees and their families safe with continued testing, regular disinfection, and following strict health protocols.

The company also strives to provide equal opportunity for its employees, with 63 percent of women in its workforce and 58 percent in senior leadership roles.

Its employees also come from diverse backgrounds, generations, and skillsets as part of its diversity efforts.

SMIC has appointed Elizabeth Anne “Lizanne” Uychaco as its first Group Diversity Officer who will work with different companies across the SM Group in advancing gender equality and championing inclusion.

The company’s recognition reflects a major improvement for the image and reputation of the SM Group, which in the past has been criticized for its contractualization practices.

SMIC is one of the biggest conglomerates in the Philippines, with investments in various industries.

One of the companies under the listed conglomerate is SM Prime Holdings Inc., the largest integrated property developer in the Philippines with interests in malls, residences, offices, hotels, and convention centers as well as tourism-related property developments.

SMIC also has investments in banking through BDO Unibank, Inc., the country’s largest bank, and China Banking Corp., the sixth largest bank.

The top 10 companies on Forbes World’s Best Employers list were occupied by major tech giants, including South Korea’s Samsung and American multinational tech firms Microsoft and IBM.