The Philippines’ Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has acknowledged that not all workers displaced by the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) shutdown will find suitable employment before the 31 December deadline.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s ban on POGO operations, announced during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July, has left tens of thousands of employees uncertain about their futures. DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma admitted the challenge of matching affected workers with roles that align with their skills, expectations, and desired benefits.
Job fairs see limited participation
Despite conducting multiple job fairs across Metro Manila, Cavite, and other regions, the turnout has been underwhelming. Only 202 workers were hired on the spot during these events. Many displaced employees remain sceptical about enforcing the shutdown deadline, while others express dissatisfaction with the available positions, which are predominantly entry-level.
To address this, DOLE urges employers to offer higher-level roles to attract more skilled applicants from the gaming sector. However, the department noted that a mismatch between job seekers’ skills and the available roles, as well as the geographical location of positions, continues to hinder progress.
Broader assistance initiatives
In addition to employment facilitation, DOLE has provided livelihood assistance to over 100 displaced workers and referred several for skills training. Profiling efforts have identified 27,790 affected Filipino workers, with the total impact possibly extending to 42,000 individuals, including those indirectly employed in POGO-related operations.
The government has also cancelled over 36,000 alien employment permits, further underscoring the far-reaching consequences of the POGO ban.
No extension to deadline
Laguesma confirmed that there are no plans to extend the December 31 deadline for the cessation of POGO activities. However, the government will continue providing support into January and February, focusing on employment assistance and other interventions for displaced workers. Public Service Employment Services, in collaboration with local governments, will also remain available to those seeking help.
Assistance for all affected workers
Acknowledging the plight of workers from unregistered POGO firms, DOLE assured that these individuals are also welcome to seek support through job fairs and government programmes. Efforts to aid displaced employees, regardless of their former employer’s status, aim to mitigate the broader social and economic costs of the shutdown.
The POGO sector’s closure is part of the administration’s broader efforts to address crimes linked to the industry, including money laundering, illegal recruitment, and human trafficking. As the deadline looms, the challenge remains to provide sustainable employment solutions for the thousands affected.
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