Philippines Govt reviews study on flexible work arrangements

The Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) on Tuesday convened a multi-stakeholder workshop to review a national study on flexible work arrangements (FWAs), as part of efforts to strengthen labor policies under the Trabaho Para sa Bayan (TPB) Plan.

The study was conducted in collaboration with Investing in Women (IW), an Australian government initiative operating in Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Myanmar to advance women’s economic empowerment. IW works closely with the private sector to promote gender equality in the workplace, boost impact investment in women-owned enterprises, and support policy reforms that address structural barriers faced by women.

DEPDev said the workshop aimed to validate the study’s findings against real-world workplace conditions and ensure that its policy recommendations respond to the needs of diverse demographic groups. Participants took part in breakout sessions to review and assess key enablers of FWAs, including flexible schedules, remote work options, and supportive workplace policies.

Discussions centered on making employment more inclusive, particularly for women, young workers, and other underrepresented groups.

Socioeconomic Planning Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon said the study provides timely, evidence-based insights that support the TPB Plan’s priority of strengthening institutional frameworks for flexible work arrangements.

The TPB Plan promotes FWAs as a way to address the varying needs of employees and businesses, and has considered adopting elements of the Singaporean model, which allows workers to formally request flexible work arrangements under approved guidelines.

“Flexible work arrangements can provide necessary support to maintain stable employment while managing family obligations, contributing to greater economic inclusion and resilience,” the TPB said.

The plan also called for stronger part-time work policies to support individuals with unpaid care and domestic responsibilities. It noted that the country could draw lessons from Australia and the Netherlands, where part-time workers are entitled to fair pay, benefits, the right to request reduced working hours, and protection from discrimination.

To ensure effective implementation of FWAs, the TPB emphasized the need for government agencies to set clear and measurable performance standards for remote and hybrid roles, invest in information and communications technology infrastructure, and provide targeted training for public sector employees. It also underscored the importance of strengthening policies on authorizations, data security, and audit processes to ensure transparency and accountability.

The government’s rightsizing program was cited as an opportunity to upgrade qualification standards by eliminating redundant positions and consolidating overlapping roles, leading to more specialized and higher-skilled jobs.

“To attract and retain top talent for these roles, the government must adopt enhanced recruitment standards and offer competitive compensation packages,” the plan said.

It added that a leaner workforce would allow resources to be redirected toward professional development and training, ensuring employees are better equipped to meet future demands.