Pogo workers composite image from Inquirer file and stock photos.
MANILA: The profiling of almost 27,000 Filipino workers affected by the ban of Philippine offshore gaming operations (Pogo) has already been completed, Labour Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said on Wednesday (Sept 11).
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.
They were from 54 internet gaming licensee companies, Laguesma said.
According to the Labour 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.
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 Labour 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. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
