½ûÂþÌìÌÃ

Menu
½ûÂþÌìÌÃ

Negotiating salary and benefits in the Philippines

Post new topic

Bhavna

Hello everyone,

Better job prospects in the Philippines can most certainly be an incentive to leave your country of origin. Securing a contract with the right salary and benefits for you can be crucial to make your move successful.

Is salary and benefits negotiation regarded as common practice in the Philippines? If yes, how should you go about negotiating your package (during the hiring process, on a monthly/yearly basis...)?

What do you expect to be included in terms of benefits in your package? Which benefits do you deem necessary in the Philippines?

Is tax on the salary of an expat applicable in the Philippines or do you have to turn to tax bodies in your country of origin to pay your taxes?

Do the exchange rates of currencies impact your salary as an expat?

Looking back, are there some changes you would have made during the negotiation of your salary and benefits package?

Thank you for sharing your experience,

Bhavna

See also

Job offers in the PhilippinesSetting up a business in the PhilippinesWork in the PhilippinesWork in CebuWork in Davao
kindawn

If you are working in the PH, your company should deduct your income tax in the PH. And it will reflect through a form called BIR 2306. Make sure your company can provide you this if they deduct tax on your payslip.

Another thing is that make sure your company is able to apply for work visa for you. The process of applying for work visa can take sometimes- 3-4 months. All fees should be covered by the company.

Benefit negotiation is just like anywhere else in the world. If the company offers health card, that would be useful if you get some sickness in the PH as the health card will cover all or some of the medical expenses.

daenr

In general, the pinoy society doesn't negotiate on much of anything. Their odd almost non-negotiable process of 'best price' or 'last offer' helps the owner/manager call the shots: in a society where most people are victimized or oppressed, the one with the greater amount of perceived (or real) power thinks he or she is calling the shots.
So in salary negotiation, if you are dealing with a pinoy, take it or leave it, because their ability to even negotiate is truncated by these strange customs often = no deal.
Conversely, if dealing with a white owner/boss, it's likely one can negotiate on salary and benefits and performance reviews/raises as part of the package, but one has to be comfortable negotiating, sth that many expats find difficult to do.
How to sidestep it all?
Create your own gig if possible, and work out your life less under the thumb of any boss. Be your own.

BellaMae

Thank you for this, I hope to learn some great insights in this matter.

Jazz14mg

Very true Daenr,  work your own business without the problems of others abusing the situation...

Glen Adkins

The expats I know have given up on finding work in the Philippines. Working for 10 cents on the dollar just isn't worth it. Those I know that have started their own businesses; closed their own businesses. Extra. "required" payments to local bureaucrats makes owning your own business unprofitable.

powerkiter120

Unless your working for  a multi national paying western salary forget it
The easiest way to make $1million in the Philippines come with $5million
If you open a business 10 more will open under cutting you . Then there is the corrupt barangay officials.
It's difficult to have a decent income let the wife open  sari sari store and make 1000 php a day
Retire in the Phil's the best option with plenty of saved cash

mugtech

powerkiter120 wrote:

It's difficult to have a decent income let the wife open  sari sari store and make 1000 php a day


With a gross profit of about 10%, if sales were 1,000 pesos/day the profit would be 100 pesos/day before other operating expenses.  Talk about cut throat businesses, there are 18 sari sari stores within a mile of where we live in Santa, Ilocos Sur.

powerkiter120

It's more fun in the Philippines lol

Articles to help you in your expat project in the Philippines

  • Work in Manila
    Work in Manila

    Manila, also referred to as the National Capital Region, is the capital city of the Philippines and the ...

  • Work in Cagayan de Oro
    Work in Cagayan de Oro

    Cagayan de Oro, officially known as the City of Cagayan de Oro, is a 1st class urbanized city in the Northern ...

  • Work in Iloilo
    Work in Iloilo

    Located in the Visayas region, Iloilo was given the title 'Queen City of the South' for being the ...

  • Internship in the Philippines
    Internship in the Philippines

    Nowadays, globalization has a particular meaning for young professionals who are about to complete their higher ...

  • Investment in Philippine
    Investment in Philippine

    A lot of my friends asked it is wise to invest money in Philippine? I giving an example that even a big gun like ...

  • The work culture in Manila
    The work culture in Manila

    When deciding to work in Manila as an expat, it is crucial to know and understand the proper work etiquette. What ...

  • The labour market in Manila
    The labour market in Manila

    The Philippines is among Asia's premier labor markets. Many aspiring expats are choosing Manila as their ideal ...

  • Lifestyle in the Philippines
    Lifestyle in the Philippines

    About to move to the Philippines? Wondering how you're going to adapt to your new environment and lifestyle? ...

All of the Philippines's guide articles