DOLE completes profiling of about 27,000 Filipino Pogo workers

POGO WORKERS composite image from Inquirer file and stock photos

MANILA, Philippines — The profiling of almost 27,000 Filipino workers affected by the ban of Philippine offshore gaming operations (Pogo) has already been completed, Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said on Wednesday.

In a press conference, he said that 26,996 former Pogo workers from the National Capital Region, Calabarzon, Central Luzon, and Central Visayas have already been profiled.

READ: Ong asks SC to determine if grave abuse committed during Pogo probe 

They were from 54 internet gaming licensee companies, Laguesma said.

According to the Labor chief, the initiative will let them plan what type of assistance they can provide for the workers.

A job fair specifically for former Pogo workers will be held in October, he added.

“One could be employment facilitation, referral to existing vacancies. Second is the possible availment of livelihood projects. Third, we also would like to complement it with possible upskilling and retooling,” he said.

READ: Marcos: ‘All Pogos are banned!’ 

During his state of the nation address last July, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced the ban of all Pogo entities in the country.

Following this pronouncement, Marcos instructed the Department of Labor and Employment, in coordination with the administration’s economic managers, to use the time “between now and then” to find new jobs for Filipinos who will be displaced.