Local Corporations
Depending on where you work, the salary for most companies can vary greatly, in the Philippines. Smaller companies that employ no more than ten people will usually offer minimum wage for clerical positions, often with little or no health coverage, and no other benefits other than monthly government contributions.
Bigger companies, of course, can offer more: a nice starting salary, health coverage, life insurance, etc. Though it’s rare that you can find one that trumps the starting salary of a call center.
The draw of a local company is stability: the company is here; it exists.They know they’ll get paid (and who to report things to, if they don’t). The other is company and familiarity. Everyone working there will mostly likely be Filipino, so there’s very little need to adapt to another culture.
Corporate America is a far cry from Corporate Philippines. The competition is not so cutthroat, everyone is more relaxed, and there is none of those weird gender issues. As an example, 48% of Philippine executives are women, ranking them first in terms of equality in the work place. How’s that for breaking stereotypes?
The chances for interaction and socialization are much higher. It’s just a lot less lonely working at a regular office.
It’s also a matter of prestige. Working for a brick and mortar company, especially if it’s a big one, just looks more credible on a resume to more people. The chances of them using their degree are much, much higher.
So why won’t Filipino’s just work for local companies then?
For one, simple reason: it’s hard to find a job. The Philippine unemployment rate in 2011 was at 7%.
Finding a job right out of college that utilizes your degree, promises excellent growth and decent compensation is like fishing with your bare hands. You have to be in the right river, with a lot of fish, and hopefully with others to help you.
You have to be in the city, preferably the Manila National Capital Region, where the jobs can be found. You have to come either from the right school, know the right people, or just totally ace your interview. This is a country where only 10% can get decent work, and the funnel happens to be very selective.
It’s not uncommon to see licensed engineers or teachers working at call centers and other business process outsourcing companies, or pharmacists going back to school for nursing; because that’s the fastest way they can potentially go abroad.
If you’re college educated, but do not come from the top 3-4 schools, and live in the provinces with no major city, you might just find yourself serving coffee in the nearby pastry shop. Or you can move to the city, and try your luck.
This is why working from home becomes a sought after option: they can work from home, in the city they grew up in, and possibly use their college degree. If you can offer them challenging work, a decent wage, and an opportunity to advance, competing against local companies shouldn’t be a problem.
Thank you so much for sharing these links. These will help a lot in gaining more traffic. Great post.