Only 100 displaced POGO workers hired at DOLE job fair

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, speaking at the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City, expressed concern over the low hiring rate of workers of former Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), considering that 8,000 tried their luck. (PNA photo by Joan Bondoc)

MANILA – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Saturday said only 100 displaced workers of Internet Gaming Licensees (IGLs) were hired on the spot at the recent job fair in Pasay City.

Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, speaking at the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City, expressed concern over the low hiring rate of workers of former Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), considering that 8,000 tried their luck.

Some 18,000 affected workers expressed interest in joining the two-day job fair, based on pre-registration data.

“Pero ang dumating, humigit kumulang 8,000 (But only about 8,000 came),” he said.

The job fair, dubbed Career Con 2025, offered more than 8,000 vacancies through at least 150 participating employers.

Laguesma noted that many displaced IGL workers remained hesitant about reemployment. Some are still optimistic about the possible lifting of POGOs’ total closure, others are already employed and some lukewarm on meager salary offers.

Nevertheless, he said the government would continue assisting the affected workers.

“We continue to reach out dahil batay nga po sa tala, mahigit kumulang mga 40,000 ang mga directly affected na mga IGL worker dahil doon sa pagsasara (because based on the record, there are approximately 40,000 IGL workers directly affected by the closure),” he said.

The DOLE has profiled more than 40,000 Filipino workers affected by the closure of POGOs. They were employed in IGLs in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon and Central Visayas, with salaries ranging from PHP16,000 to PHP22,000.

Aside from enhancing skills for reemployment opportunities, the DOLE is providing livelihood assistance amounting to as much as PHP30,000 to affected workers who may want to start a business.