Gig workers flourish

It is estimated that more than one million Filipinos are working as so-called “virtual assistants,” helping foreign clients with diverse tasks like bookkeeping, scheduling, document management, billing, and other jobs on short- or long-term bases.

Filipinos lead in this business, tapping their English proficiency and other skills. The new economic front is apart from the business process outsourcing (BPO) boom involving mostly call centers serving foreign companies.

By moving out on their own as virtual assistants, ex-call center staff enjoy more flexibility and independence in how, where and when they work.

The virtual assistant boom is something of a mixed blessing. While the activity brings foreign exchange into the country and employs a growing number of workers at a time when the domestic economy is not generating enough jobs, the informal nature of the work for companies overseas means that much of it is taking place off the radar of the tax authorities.

Moreover, some observers worry that the boom would soon run out of steam due to generative artificial intelligence services like ChatGPT.

Many Filipino virtual assistants link up with foreign clients via online freelancing marketplaces like Upwork and Freelancer or through services like NanoGlobals and Somewhere that screen candidates to meet specific requirements. They trade tips on finding good jobs and collecting payment in groups on Facebook.

While the income of a virtual assistant can be relatively lucrative for Filipinos, it is usually a bargain for their foreign clients.

Thus, we have the perfect match – English-proficient cheap labor meets Western big business in dire need of skilled and resourceful workers.