When the worldwide corporate playground was made a level playing field thanks to the internet early in the 21st century, the Philippines eventually emerged as one of the top outsourcing destinations across the globe.Today, the Southeast Asian archipelago has turned into a remote working hotspot as well.
Here are several major, quantifiable reasons why more organisations are hiring Filipino virtual assistants, and why you should too.CostLike other outsourcing destinations like China or India, the cost of living in the Philippines is pretty low, especially when compared to western nations like the United States, Australia or United Kingdom.As of this writing the minimum wage in the Philippines is 537 pesos per day, which converts to 14+ Australian dollars (or around AU$1.75 per hour).
For reference:The Australian minimum wage is AU$18.93 per hour.The US minimum wage is US$7.25 per hour.So in an offshore staffing company like Remote Workmate – where you can hire a Filipino virtual assistant starting at AU$7 or US$6 per hour – clients save on salary costs and earn way more than a regular job.English proficiencyWhen it comes to business, law and education, the Philippines primarily uses English.
Most speak at least basic English, but the well-educated are fluent.It’s no wonder instructions are typically written in English in the Philippines; so are billboards and street signs.The quality of the English is pretty good too, so much so that tens of thousands of foreign students visit to learn the language, and their numbers are steadily increasing.Filipinos also speak with a neutral or American accent, partly because the country was a US colony for nearly 50 years.Having this level of proficiency enables your virtual assistant to minimise communication challenges that come from such arrangements.
This collectively influenced the Filipino identity; as a result, its language, media and way of life are steeped in Western culture.In fact, according to Britannica, the country is strongly Euro-American in terms of culture.From the New York Times: “It helps that Filipinos learn American English in the first grade, eat hamburgers, follow the NBA and watch the TV show ‘Friends’ long before they enter a call center,” [emphasis added].
Meanwhile, call centres trainers in other countries use “Friends” as a teaching tool.Why does this matter?