WITH more Filipinos looking for flexible work arrangements, platforms like Upwork and OnlineJobsPH have revolutionized access to freelance work in the Philippines.
During a recent Socioeconomic Research Portal for the Philippines (SERP-P) knowledge-sharing forum at the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), Prof. Miraluna Tacdao from the De La Salle University Social Development Research Center explored the complex relationship between global and local platforms.
She emphasized the pressing need to address the factors that shape labor arrangements in diverse cultural and economic contexts.
Upwork and OnlineJobsPH claim that they can connect clients or jobs with a diverse pool of talent across various fields, including writing, graphic design, programming and digital marketing.
Tacdao presented findings from her studies examining the emerging platform brokerage ecosystem in the Philippines.
“While global platforms exist, there is an emerging ecosystem of local dynamics that mediates between labor demand and supply,” she said.
This ecosystem encompasses local platforms, worker agencies and cooperatives that challenge the practices of larger global players.
For instance, she highlighted the rise of independent agencies formed by freelancers, which provide traditional company benefits and promote better working conditions.
A significant aspect of the discussion was the role of skill and community building within this ecosystem.
Tacdao stressed the importance for freelancers to identify and develop specific skills to stay competitive.
“Workers must focus on skills such as virtual assistance, digital content moderation, or digital marketing and build expertise in these areas,” she said. Informal networks and communities established through social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok and YouTube often support this skill development.
These communities, Tacdao said, are essential for sharing knowledge and resources, enabling freelancers to re-outsource work to one another.
“In early 2015, individual freelancers began cascading work to others — often informally to their spouses, children, neighbors, or villagers,” she observed.
This collaborative spirit underscores the adaptability and resourcefulness of Filipino freelancers navigating an evolving labor landscape.
Another critical point is the process of labor re-intermediation, where agencies organize and review worker-client arrangements akin to traditional platforms.
“Understanding the interplay between local and global factors is crucial for informing policy and fostering a more equitable platform economy in the Philippines,” Tacdao said.
The implications of these findings are significant in an online gig economy that is often seen as precarious.
Tacdao’s research shows that the dynamics of cloud work and microwork can vary greatly based on an individual’s position within the ecosystem.
“Some workers successfully navigate this environment, evolving into agency leaders who control work conditions for others,” she said, indicating progressive opportunities within the freelance landscape.
Ultimately, Tacdao’s insights highlight the complexities of the Philippine platform labor market and the necessity for policymakers to act.
“Mapping the dynamics of brokerage within the ecosystem is essential because labor platformization is defined by the interconnectivity of global and local technologies alongside the vibrant sociality and entrepreneurship of Filipino workers,” she said.
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