The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has already profiled the 30,567 workers who will be affected by the POGO ban.
Thousands of Filipino workers will be affected by the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to ban all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). During a hearing of the House Committee on Games and Amusement, lawmakers were informed that over 30,000 employees would lose their jobs as a result of the POGO ban.
As of the latest report from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), a total of 30,567 workers have been identified as being directly affected by the shutdown of the POGO industry in the country. These workers include those employed in various positions within the POGO sector, from customer service and administrative roles to technical and support staff. Additionally, the ban will also indirectly impact 2,777 workers whose jobs are connected to the POGO industry, such as those in the supply chain, transportation, and local services sectors.
“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,” DOLE representative John Enrico Abiad was quoted as saying in an Inquirer report.
The department's efforts to profile the affected workforce have already begun, helping to assess the scope of the ban’s economic impact on employees nationwide.
President Marcos first announced the intention to ban POGOs during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July 2024. In his speech, the president emphasized the need to crack down on illegal activities linked to POGOs, such as human trafficking and other criminal offenses, while also addressing the negative impact the industry has had on public order and local communities. The Philippine government has long been concerned about the operations of POGOs, especially the influx of foreign workers and their contribution to rising crime rates in areas with large POGO hubs.
In response to the growing concerns about POGOs, the president ordered the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to oversee the gradual closure of these operations. PAGCOR, which regulates gaming operations in the country, has been tasked with ensuring that all POGO activities cease by the end of 2024. According to PAGCOR chief Alejandro Tengco, the agency has already begun working on the transition and will be coordinating with DOLE to assist the workers affected by the closure.
"DOLE has been instructed to support the affected workers by helping them find new employment opportunities before the end of 2024,” said Tengco. He further clarified that the process of winding down POGO operations would not happen abruptly but will be a phased shutdown, allowing affected employees time to adjust to the changing job landscape.
To aid in this transition, DOLE is preparing to roll out an employment facilitation program that will provide assistance to workers seeking new jobs. The department’s public employment services offices (PESOs) across the country will be on hand to connect displaced workers with potential employers. The program is part of DOLE’s broader efforts to help workers affected by closures, layoffs, and other disruptions in the labor market.
This initiative is part of the government's commitment to ensuring that workers are not left behind in the face of industry shifts. DOLE has also encouraged employers in non-POGO industries to consider hiring some of the displaced workers, particularly those with skills in customer service, administration, and technical fields.
The closure of POGOs, while having significant economic implications, has also sparked debates within various sectors of Philippine society. Proponents of the ban argue that the closure of the POGO industry will improve public order and reduce criminal activities linked to the sector, including human trafficking and illegal gambling. However, critics of the move point to the economic consequences, including the loss of income for thousands of workers and the potential decline in tax revenues generated by POGO operations.
Read related article: 60% of Filipinos Support POGO Ban: Survey
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