Higher pay for employees urged

CEBU, Philippines - Philippine companies are urged to give higher salaries to employees in order to keep the best talents at home and make the country much more competitive.

International thought leaders, corporate strategists and best selling authors made this call during the 3rd International Training and Development Summit organized by the  Philippine Society for Training and Development (PSTD) Cebu  last November 22 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino.

Paul N. Larsen, a certified personal performance coach and author of the book, "Find Your Voice as a leader," said that the Philippines should take advantage of its world renowned and sought-after talents and provide an environment that discourage Filipinos from working in other countries.

“You export so much of your good talents. It is best to tap these people to work in your country,” said Larsen adding that employers here should offer attractive pay packages in order to make the Philippines more competitive and attract global companies to come here because of the talents.

Larsen said Filipinos are sought-after employees because of their inherent passion in what they do, and good emotional engagements or interpersonal connections.

Employee engagement expert and bestselling author Scott Friedman believes that the Philippine corporate sector should level up in paying off its workers to keep the best talents in the country.

Friedman believes that there is a need for corporations here to pay more their workers, and be at par with other countries.

Aside from giving workers above minimum or high salary, employers should also realize that creating a conducive, friendlier workplace has great impact on motivating people to be more productive.

Brand coach, strategist and book author Jerome Joseph sees tremendous economic and business opportunities in the Philippines but said that the country has to work on strengthening its framework for research and development to match with the kind of talents the country has.

Larsen, Friedman and Joseph were speakers of the PSTD international training and development summit with the theme, "The Learning Spectrum: Firing Up Future Proof Organizations." The whole-day event was participated by business owners, chief executive officers, human resource directors and company founders, and decision makers.

PSTD Cebu is a professional organization of human resource  practitioners and learning and development professionals headed by Paulette Liu and Lisa Kristine B. Suarez. (FREEMAN)