Job fairs not attracting displaced Pogo workers

Inquirer file and stock photos

MANILA, Philippines — Not a lot of Filipino workers who will end up unemployed when Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) and internet gaming licensees (IGLs) shut down by the end of the year are taking advantage of job fairs organized by the government for their benefit.

For the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole), there were a number of reasons for this, including their belief that the total ban on Pogo and IGL operations ordered by President Marcos starting Jan. 1 would not push through.

“Some of them were still looking for jobs with similar wages and benefits they are receiving from their work at IGLs. But we all know that most of the work offered in job fairs are for entry-level positions,” Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said in a news conference on Monday.

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

It was also possible they were just not interested in the positions being offered, he noted.

Laguesma added that aside from skills mismatch, applicants might also be facing “geographical mismatch”—which means they may have the required skills set but their work might take them to another region.

“On that score, we are also advocating for employers to do telecommuting so that their workers will not be dislocated and there will be no social cost. But there are just some jobs that really require a physical presence,” he explained.

“There are no extensions to the Dec. 31 deadline, but the Dole will still continue in January and February to help the displaced employees of Pogos and IGLs. I assure you that we will help those who will go to Dole. To those who will not reach out, we will still provide help through Public Service Employment Services in partnership with local governments,” Laguesma said.

Everyone welcome

Affected employees of unregistered Pogo and IGL firms can also apply at job fairs, he added.

“Although we are focused on providing jobs to displaced workers of legitimate Pogos and IGLs, we will not drive away workers of illegal firms because we know that they also need help,” Laguesma said.

The Dole has also finished profiling some 27,790 Filipino workers with existing IGL operations in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon and Central Visayas. But the number of affected workers may reach up to 42,000, which also accounts for indirectly hired and utility workers.

Four mega job fairs dedicated to displaced Pogo and IGL workers were held in Parañaque City, Makati City, Cavite province and Pasay City from October to November. At least 202 IGL workers were hired on the spot. A total of 435 workers applied for unemployment insurance benefits, 708 for employment facilitation, 118 were given livelihood assistance, and two were referred for skills and technical training.