Pogo ban will affect over 30,000 Filipino workers – DOLE

Composite image of workers for Philippine offshore gaming operators. INQUIRER file and stock photos

MANILA, Philippines — Over 30,000 Filipino workers will be affected by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive banning all Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) in the country, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

During the House committee on games and amusement hearing on Tuesday, lawmakers learned that DOLE already profiled the 30,567 workers who would be affected by the Pogo ban.

“The number of Filipino workers affected by the banning of Pogos is around 27,790; this is for the direct Filipino workers. For indirect Filipino workers, we have profiled 2,777,” said DOLE representative John Enrico Abiad.

READ: DOLE completes profiling of about 27,000 Filipino Pogo workers

During his State of the Nation Address last July, Marcos announced the Pogo ban.

He also instructed the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) to wind down and cease the operation of Pogos by the end of 2024.

Pagcor chief Alejandro Tengco said the DOLE was instructed to help affected workers find new jobs before 2025.

DOLE said it has an employment facilitation program that could help affected workers through its public employment services office.