136 job seekers hired on the spot at DOLE job fair

More than 100 jobseekers were hired on the spot at the Department of Labor and Employment's two-day job fair for workers affected by the ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO), DOLE said Thursday. 

According to DOLE, a total of 865 job seekers registered for the job fair held from November 19 to November 20 in Pasay City. Of the figures, 298 were displaced POGO workers. 

A total of 136 job seekers were likewise hired on the spot, of which 38 were employees affected by the POGO ban. 

At least 12,378 local and overseas vacancies were offered by 790 employers during the job fair, the DOLE said. Most of the job postings are in the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry, manufacturing, health and wellness, wholesale and retail trade, hotel and restaurant, transport and logistics, as well as construction sectors.

DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma previously said the job fairs for displaced Filipino POGO workers are also open to job seekers who are not impacted by the ban on the online gambling operations. 

"Lahat ng nangangailangan ng tulong, mga job seekers na mapapaloob sa proseso, amin pong ia-accommodate," said Laguesma. 

(We accommodate everyone who needs help, job seekers who undergo the process.)

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

In September, the DOLE said an estimated 40,000 Filipino workers will be displaced by the POGO ban. 

The Bureau of Immigration had set an October 15 deadline for former foreign POGO workers to downgrade their visas or else face deportation. Over 21,000 foreign workers applied for the downgrade. 

Meanwhile, Marcos issued Executive Order No. 74 early this month, which states that the ban on POGOs and internet gaming licenses shall encompass illegal offshore gaming operations, license applications, license renewals, and cessation of operations.

An interagency has also been formed—composed of BI, the Department of Justice, DOLE, and others—to oversee the closure of POGOs and assist affected workers. — Sundy Locus/BM, GMA Integrated News