Oyster®, the global employment platform enabling companies to employ, pay, and care for distributed teams, has released its fourth annual Impact Report, revealing significant progress in workforce globalization, pay equity, and environmental sustainability.
Unlocking Global Talent in Emerging Markets
According to the report, $137 million in payments flowed to emerging markets—a 28% increase from last year—helping unlock fair work opportunities in countries like Egypt, the Philippines, India, South Africa, and Brazil. Emerging markets now account for 47% of new hires and 43% of Oyster’s active workforce. Companies also report an 11-point confidence boost from initial to subsequent emerging market hires, underscoring growing trust in global talent.
“The first hire in an emerging market acts as a confidence multiplier,” the report notes. 37% of companies make their first international hire from emerging markets (up 8% YoY), and 48% of subsequent hires also come from these regions.
Flexible Employment Models for Local Markets
Oyster data shows that companies tailor employment models based on local contexts:
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Developed economies: 86% full-time employees, 14% contractors
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Emerging markets: 53% full-time employees, 47% contractors
This approach allows companies to hire the right talent in the right way, reflecting local economic structures and workforce preferences.
Gender Equity Progress
While Oyster celebrates gains in gender pay equity, challenges remain:
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Median salary growth over three years: women +17%, men +13%
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Developed markets median salaries: women $83.4K vs. men $106.1K
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Emerging markets median salaries: women $29.7K vs. men $50.7K
Female representation in technical roles is increasing, with data analysis positions approaching gender parity (4.5% female vs. 3.1% male). 74% of women in emerging markets report improved quality of life thanks to global hiring opportunities.
Environmental Impact of Remote Work
Oyster’s fully distributed model demonstrates the environmental benefits of remote-first work:
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Per-employee carbon emissions ~80% lower than industry average
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Full-time remote work can reduce individual carbon footprints by up to 54%
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Over 70% employee satisfaction; 72% report positive career development impact
Commitment to B Corp Standards
As a certified B Corp, Oyster continues to align business success with measurable positive impact:
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ESG-focused vendor screening
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Company-wide ethics and compliance training
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Investment in sustainability measurement and reporting
“B Corp certification holds us accountable to proving that business success and positive impact aren’t mutually exclusive,” said Miranda Zolot, General Counsel at Oyster. “When $137 million flows to emerging markets while reducing carbon footprints, we see the tangible results of expanding hiring horizons: businesses get the talent they need, and talented people worldwide gain opportunities they deserve.”
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Business Wire, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure. Public relations, investor relations, public policy and marketing professionals rely on Business Wire for secure and accurate distribution of market-moving news and multimedia. Founded in 1961, Business Wire is a trusted source for news organizations, journalists, investment professionals and regulatory authorities, delivering news directly into editorial systems and leading online news sources via its multi-patented NX network. Business Wire’s global newsrooms are available to meet the needs of communications professionals and news media worldwide.
