Freelancing has become very popular in today's world, and many people are getting into it to supplement their income or even to live off entirely. It's safe to say that freelancing will continue to grow in the future, especially in Pakistan. However, the way freelancing works may change based on how technology advances and how online businesses develop, and new government policies regulating the freelancing industry. Here is a prediction of how freelance life might look in Pakistan seven years from now.
The Future of Freelance Work in Pakistan
For years, freelancers have been nipping at salaried workers' heels. The unemployment rate is at an all-time high; layoffs have sent many searching for new jobs. But freelance work has become a viable option for those laid off— not just temporary positions. For many, it's becoming a full-time gig. As companies downsize and contract out, technology becomes more powerful, and social media continues to reach new heights, freelance options are better than ever. However, there are still obstacles that make life difficult for freelancers: taxes, healthcare, and benefits. In short: what will life be like as a freelancer in Pakistan in 2022?
Challenges I Faced as a Pakistani Freelancer
While freelancing, you need to be doing that all day, every day, if you want to be paid. This can make it a bit tricky for those of us with kids. I have three kids – two are twins, and one is still a baby – and working from home as a freelancer means making sure I'm at my computer during nap time (for my one-year-old) and times where I'm not needed elsewhere (for my 4-year-old twins). It also means having to work around their schedules on school days. For example, if they get out of school early on Friday because there's no school on Saturday, I may take advantage of that by planning some work from home Fridays when they don't have afterschool activities or other commitments. It also helps me get more done when they go down for naps because I know I won't be interrupted until 2:30 pm! And then there are weekends...I love spending time with my family on weekends, so any work needs to happen between breakfast and dinner or after everyone goes to bed.
Changes That Need to Happen For it to Improve
There has been an increasing number of freelancers, including many independent contractors and self-employed professionals. What's surprising is that when you ask them if they like their job, they say they love it. Why do they do it? Because there are only two reasons, people don't love their jobs: because of their bosses or their colleagues. Some issues need to be addressed urgently to have a better world for future freelancers. The biggest issue facing freelance workers today is the lack of health insurance. Most employers offer health insurance as part of their benefits package, but freelancers don't get any such benefits from anyone. The next big issue facing freelancers today is the lack of pension plans. Pension plans allow people to retire comfortably with a fixed income every month until death without worrying about money after the retirement age arrives. If these problems aren't resolved soon, we will most likely see more and more freelance workers who will suffer financially later on in life just because they didn't have any pension plan or even health insurance while working as freelancers.
Outlining Things That Could be Improved
The freelance life can be a tough one. You're totally on your own, and you will have to learn how to survive by trial and error; let's face it, there are no manuals for the freelance life. For freelancing, finding clients or earning income for services rendered is easier said than done. Still, if you want to take your chances at becoming an independent worker who takes complete responsibility for your career, you must explore all opportunities and approaches. That's what I did after getting fed up with my job as a development associate in Unicef Karachi: I quit everything and took matters into my own hands (quite literally). Here is a list of things I did/do when it comes to freelancing
What You Can Do About it?
If you're planning to launch a business overseas, start by doing your homework. Look at economic forecasts and consult with experts on what you can expect in your field of expertise. For example, if you wanted to start a software development company in Qatar, you might want to look into how other technology companies have fared there and how long it takes startups to get funding. The more legwork you do upfront, the easier it will be for you down the road. Once you know where and when it makes sense to start a business, plan: If language barriers or immigration issues make it challenging for someone who lives abroad to move their business back home or pay employees remotely, solve that problem early on by signing up for an online course on those topics.
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