DOLE profiled over 27K displaced Pinoy POGO workers

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)  on Monday admitted a low turnout of job seekers in specialized job fairs for displaced Filipino Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) workers.

In a press briefing, DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma listed the possible reasons for the low number of affected POGO employees attending the mega job fairs.

“Meron kaming mga nakikita na kadahilanan. Marami pa rin siguro ang naniniwala na hindi matutuloy ang December 31 deadline. Pangalawa, siguro gusto nila maghanap ng trabaho na similar sa kanilang trabaho na ginagawa na makapagbibigay nang kaparehas o mas mataas na benepisyo,” Laguesma told reporters.

(We are seeing possible reasons including job seekers not believing that the December 31 deadline will push through. Second, some of them may be looking for similar jobs with higher wages.)

According to the Labor chief, the job vacancies mostly being entry-level positions seekers may also be a factor.

“Tuloy-tuloy pa rin kami kahit sa January, February, sa pagtulong sa mga affected IGL workers,” Laguesma added.

(We will continue helping the affected IGL workers even beyond the deadline in January and February.)

In his State of the Nation speech last July, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. banned all POGOs after several such businesses were implicated in crimes, including human trafficking, serious illegal detention, and money scams.

Last September, the DOLE said an estimated 40,000 Filipino workers will be displaced by the POGO ban. Of the figures, the Labor Department said it profiled a total of 27,790 Filipino POGO employees working in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and Central Visayas.

Four mega job fairs for the displaced POGO workers were held in Parañaque, Makati, Cavite, and Pasay City from October to November.

During these job fairs, 202 IGL workers were hired on the spot. 435 were assisted in availing SSS unemployment insurance benefit, 708 enlisted for employment facilitation, 118 were provided with livelihood assistance, and two displaced workers were referred for skills and technical training.

The DOLE said it would hold another job fair in Biñan, Laguna on Friday, December 6, 2024. —RF, GMA Integrated News