Online freelancing provides more jobs, income for SL youth

Online freelancing is growing rapidly and gaining popularity within the younger generation in Sri Lanka as it provides avenues to make extra income with one's skills and knowledge while being at home, according to a research study conducted by LIRNEasia released to the media.

Based on a nationally representative survey, LIRNEasia estimates, there could be 17,000 to 22,000 freelancers in Sri Lanka registered with multiple platforms and selling their skills all around the world. Fiverr, Freelancer and Upwork are the popular platforms used by Sri Lankan youth with Fiverr having the most number of registered workers, LIRNEasia said adding that the research was undertaken to understand the enabling factors and challenges in adopting to work on online freelancing platforms.

Typical freelance “jobs” that are outsourced through platforms include graphic design, data entry, proofreading, translation, copyediting, market research, programming, data verification, etc.

According to the survey, 26 per cent of the Sri Lankans between the age group 16 to 40 are aware of online freelancing and among those who aware 9 per cent expressed interest in working on online freelancing jobs.

“About 26 per cent of Sri Lanka’s population aged 16 - 40 olds are aware of online freelancing and males are significantly more aware of such opportunities compared to females. Ku r u n a g a l a , Anuradhapura, Puttalam are districts with higher awareness about online freelancing while in K i l i n o chchi, Mannar and Mullaitivu awareness on online freelancing is very poor,” the study showed.

It said those engaging in parttime freelancing work, earn a monthly income of approximately Rs.20,000 - 30,000. This amount is in addition to a salary, since majority of them earn this amount while engaging in some full-time job. This additional earning has helped many freelancers to improve their living standards.

“Online freelancing among youth is preferred due to flexibility working where one chooses, being your own boss and being able to maximize their skills in an income pro- ducing activity. Sri Lankan freelancers say, English skills in not a pre requisite to become successful in this field, just the basic would be adequate to communicate the message to the client,” the research revealed.

Due to lack of awareness about how the freelance payment system works, few workers interviewed in the LIRNEasia study who had done some work were unable to receive payment because PayPal inward remittances were not allowed in Sri Lanka.

“According to successful freelancers, building a freelance career is easy with the right mix of skills and determination. Anyone can register with an online platform such as fiverr.com, freelancer.com or upwork. com to offer smaller tasks (logo designing, web development, translation), which they are capable of. They have to bid per project highlighting and promoting their capacity to undertake particular task. Getting the first job could be tough and time consuming, but they are determined it won’t be impossible. Once they get a few jobs and build their profile, the earnings will start (to) flow easily,” it said.