Telecommuting is rising steadily with trends in Internet use and other online technologies, a ministry survey said Saturday.
The number of people telecommuting for eight or more hours per week was estimated to have reached 10 million as of the end of March, or roughly 15 percent of all employment in the country, the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry survey said.
The ratio, up nearly 5 points from the previous survey three years ago, rises to 46 percent of the workforce if those who telecommute less than eight hours per week are included, for a rise of about 7 points.
"The results reflect the rapid growth in the use of broadband networks and mobile handsets, as well as a growing trend among businesses allowing their employees to work at home," a ministry official said.
The government is promoting telecommuting because it gives employees flexibility on their hours and working locations, which helps support child rearing and nursing care efforts.