Back-to-office plans may hurt PH ‘competitiveness’ — Colliers
The Philippines’ competitiveness level in the global IT-business process outsourcing (BPO) industry may decrease if the government will not allow the continuation of the work-from-home (WFH) model.
Miguel Bengzon, Assistant Manager of property consultant firm Colliers, said that the Fiscal Incentives Review Board’s (FIRB) April 1 back-to-office order was in line with the reopening of the economy given that the country reached a higher vaccination rate and fewer new cases.
However, Bengzon stated that this transition could take a lot of time as employees will have to adjust to their new office functions.
Industry players are also concerned with the potential increase of employee attrition as some workers have a “strong preference” for remote and hybrid work.
On the global scale, the Philippines could lose to other markets — specifically, India — “where increased WFH allowance may provide the advantage of stronger employee retention, engagement, and performance.”
In their commentary, Colliers united that both policymakers and the IT-BPM industry should collaborate to create optimal work regulations in the sector.
