87% of employers ‘open’ to work-from-home scheme

MANILA, Philippines — An overwhelming majority of employers are receptive to the law allowing employees to work from the comfort of their homes that President Duterte signed in December, according to a survey commissioned by an employers-organization. 

Camarines Sur Second District Rep. LRay Villafuerte revealed that 87 percent of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines are supportive of Republic Act 11165, An Act Institutionalizing Telecommuting as an Alternative Work Arrangement for Employees in the Private Sector.

“An ECOP survey done to determine the prevalence of telecommuting practices show that only 28 percent of Philippine-based companies are implementing telecommuting, although a large majority or 87 percent are open to the idea of doing so,” Villafuerte said.

These local companies are open to telecommunication if there would be favorable factors such as better internet connections, according to the congressman, who co-authored the Telecommuting Law, prompting him to call on telecommunication companies (telcos) to improve their wireless services.

Villafuerte said that internet speed is “crucial to the  timely accomplishments by workers of their assigned jobs.” He added that telcos “should prod employers into giving work-at-home arrangements a try for their employees.”

“Disruptive technologies are already around and corporations need to be open to technological advancements for them to survive and gain competitive advantage,” the Bicolano legislator said.

“Telcos could help sharpen these firms’ competitiveness by doing a much better job of improving their internet services (as soon as possible). Telecommuting will also help companies address workspace, location and transport or traffic congestion issues,” he added.

Telecommuting allows employees in the private sector to work from home or any other alternative work environment with the use of telecommunications and/or computer technologies, instead of having to go to their respective offices on a daily basis.

A study made by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has shown that the Philippines is losing about P3.5 billion daily due to traffic. JICA also predicts that by 2030, losses due to traffic in Metro Manila alone will amount to P6 billion pesos a day.

RA 11165 aims to promote work-life balance and address traffic congestion and its effects on the country’s economy.

‘One of best, innovative ways’

For Quezon City Rep. Alfred Vargas, the work-from-home law is one of the best and innovative ways of maintaining the productivity of both employers and employees in light of worsening traffic in major cities across the country.

“It improves organization retention, employee performance and customer satisfaction. It also boosts employees’ health, as telecommuting lessens exposure to pollution,” Vargas, one of the main authors of the law, said.

“It raises employee morale and reduces stress, thus, leading to increased work productivity,” the administration lawmaker added, citing the scheme’s “several benefits for employees and employers.”