Representatives Migz and Luigi Villafuerte are advocating for the immediate congressional approval of a legislative package designed to provide work protection and incentives for the Philippines’ rapidly growing freelance sector.
The lawmakers highlighted that younger Filipinos are increasingly ditching the traditional “8-to-5” office grind for the flexibility of online platforms and project-based work.
However, this shift has left millions without the safety nets afforded to regular employees.
“Congress needs to pass new legislation to help the Marcos administration better protect Filipino freelancers against unfair labor practices in this new, non-conventional business environment where job contracts are no longer the norm,” said Migz Villafuerte.
Citing data from Payoneer, the brothers noted that the Philippines ranks as the fastest-growing freelancing country globally, with a revenue surge of over 200%.
Despite this boom, Luigi Villafuerte warned that the lack of formal contracts leaves workers vulnerable.
“Its very non-conventional setup has taken away some of the positives that traditional employment offers, such as the right to organize in the workplace and their right to economic benefits due to workers under our labor laws,” Luigi explained.
To bridge this gap, the Villafuertes, alongside Rep. Hori Horibata and Rep. Terry Ridon, filed House Bill 1988. The measure was spurred by findings from Deloitte Philippines showing that 71% of Filipino millennials and 65% of Gen Zers have taken on side gigs to supplement their income—figures significantly higher than global averages.
Key Provisions of House Bill 1988:
- Mandatory Contracts: Formal agreements between employers and freelancers.
- Down Payment: A required initial payment of at least 30% of the contract price.
- Night Shift Differential: At least 10% extra pay for hours worked between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
- Hazard Pay: Specialized compensation for those deployed to dangerous areas or field assignments.