The Philippines is a newly-industrialized country included in the "Next 11" list of most promising economies in the world. Despite this, the unemployment rate in the country exceeds seven percent and many families lived on less than 2 USD a day in the most recent years. The high unemployment rate might be due to the fact that the agricultural sector has deflated in size. Because agriculture generates 30 percent of jobs in the Philippines, the recent boom in the service and industrial sectors could not offset the decrease in employment rate. 

Working in the Philippines

Moving to the Philippines

Many countries promote the Philippines as a country where people could retire in comfort and luxury because of the low cost of living. A four-bedroom house, for example, could cost as low as 350 USD in the country's provinces. The cities are more expensive, however, with high-end apartments in the country's metropolitan areas costing about 3,000 USD per month.

The Philippines is a tropical country with undefined separation of seasons. The height of heat during the summers usually start from March and ends on May. June signifies the beginning of the rainy season. The country is an island nation, meaning beaches can be found almost anywhere. Some of the Philippines' white-sand beaches are popular to both foreign and local tourists alike. Citizens of English-speaking countries do not have to worry about language barriers because the Philippines is a fluent English-speaking country.

Job Prospects in the Philippines

Jobs for expatriates in the Philippines are usually in the administrative and managerial positions. Most frequently, they move to the country because they were offered a job by their companies in their offices in the Philippines. Many build business establishments of their own.

Typical Salaries and Benefits in the Philippines

The current minimum wage in the country's capital, Metro Manila, is at 8.54 USD for an 8-hour day. Salaries remain low in the Philippines which could be beneficial if you are thinking of moving to the country as an employer. Senior managers make about 1500 USD a month while lower-leveled counterparts make 800 USD. It is small compared to the salaries in developed countries, but it is only commensurate to the cost of living in the Philippines. A low-skill laborer earns an annual income of 1,800 USD while a college graduate earns approximately 4,000 USD. All employees in the country, nationals and expats alike are covered by either the Social Security Services or Government Service Insurance System. Benefits include health care, sickness allowance, maternity leave with pay, and funeral benefits. 

Basic Data on Taxes in the Philippines

Taxes in the Philippines are quite high, taking into account the country's general low income. These taxes include corporate income tax, value added tax, property tax, community tax, and vehicle tax among others. Expatriates will find it hard to become a Filipino citizen and their status might still be as tourists even after living a long time inside the country. "Tourists" are not liable to pay any taxes. If you are working in the country and obtained a permanent resident status, however, you are exacted taxes on the salary you earn inside the Philippines.

High Demand Jobs in the Philippines

The current high demand jobs in the Philippines are in the service industry. Due to the fact that Filipinos are trained and educated in the technicalities of the English language, call center jobs are also in-demand. Companies, including those who are listed among Fortune 500 are outsourcing their businesses in the country because of the relatively low labor costs. Other industries with high-demand job opportunities include accounting, finance, and IT sectors.

Immigration and Visa Issues in the Philippines

To be able to work in the country, there should be a company sponsoring you. The company would have to prove that there is no Filipino national who can perform the duties that will be assigned to you. American expatriates are under the "Treaty Trades" meaning they could stay in the country as long the US and Philippines have a trade agreement and the expat works for the same company. US expatriates could also bring their families via Multiple Entry Special Visa which strips immigration fees off their entry.

Best Job Locations in the Philippines

Best job locations in the country are in the cities of Metro Manila. The city of Manila and the industrialized Makati City are hotspots for job seekers. Makati, specifically, is the nexus of big businesses and foreign investors. In the southern parts of the country, the cities of Cebu and Davao also have numerous opportunities for job seekers.

Find Jobs via Websites in the Philippines

http://ph.jobstreet.com/
A listing of available jobs. You could also post your resume to be noticed by employers
http://www.bestjobs.ph/
Another free job listing site
http://ph.jobisland.com/
A job listing site
http://www.4icj.com/ph/
A directory for useful job resources in the country
http://www.gov.ph/jobs/default.asp
The official web site of the Philippine government for job resources