Philippine labor agency launches emergency employment programs amid offshore gaming ban
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) of the Philippines has announced plans to provide emergency and reemployment assistance to workers affected by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s decision to impose a total ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma highlighted that the year-end deadline set by President Marcos will offer DOLE a crucial “window” to prepare and implement necessary interventions.
In a recent dwFM interview, Laguesma emphasized that these measures will include emergency employment, skills upgrading, retooling, training, and employment facilitation programs. DOLE will profile Filipino workers currently employed by POGOs ahead of the implementation.
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has reported that around 40,000 Filipino workers will be affected by the ban.
Impact of POGO ban on employment and DOLE’s strategy
According to PAGCOR Chairperson and CEO Alejandro Tengco, approximately 31,000 of the affected workers are direct employees of POGOs. Meanwhile, 9,000 more workers are engaged in special business process outsourcing (BPO) roles.
Although not involved in gaming operations, these BPO workers serve gaming companies in the United States, Canada, and Europe.
“Meron pong halos 9,800, almost 10,000 sa mga SBPO, ‘yung special class ng BPO. Wala silang kinalaman sa any gaming operation,” Tengco said. “Sila po ay tulad ng mga BPO industry, pero ang kanilang mga kliyente ay gaming companies sa Amerika, sa Canada, at sa Europa.”
(There are almost 9,800—almost 10,000—in special business process outsourcing (SBPO). They don’t have anything to do with any gaming operation. Like those in the BPO industry, these people have clients from gaming companies in America, Canada, and Europe.)
These figures exclude ancillary staff such as drivers, security guards, messengers, and helpers employed by POGO establishments.
DOLE’s comprehensive intervention plan aims to mitigate the adverse effects on these workers’ livelihoods. Laguesma said that the profiling process would be crucial in identifying the specific needs of the affected employees, enabling the department to tailor its assistance programs effectively.
He noted that, according to the preliminary profiling of approximately 10,000 employees from the 28 POGOs, many of these workers possess skills transferable to roles in information technology (IT) and business process outsourcing (BPO) companies.
Read more Unity Communications and BPO news on our main page.
Abad, M. (2024, July 24). DOLE to help find jobs for displaced POGO workers. Rappler. Retrieved from https://www.rappler.com/business/dole-help-find-jobs-displaced-pogo-workers/
Aning, J. (2024, July 24). Dole to help find IT, BPO jobs for displaced Pogo workers. INQUIRER.net. Retrieved from https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1964505/dole-to-help-find-it-bpo-jobs-for-displaced-pogo-workers
Beltran, S. (2024, July 28). After Philippines’ Pogos ban, what next for 40,000 displaced Filipino workers, industry? South China Morning Post. Retrieved from https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3272078/after-philippines-pogos-ban-what-next-40000-displaced-filipino-workers-industry
De Leon, D. (2024, July 22). Marcos announces ban on POGOs during SONA. Rappler. Retrieved from https://www.rappler.com/philippines/president-marcos-jr-orders-ban-offshore-gaming-operators-pogo-sona-july-2024/
GMA Integrated News. (2024, July 23). 40,000 Filipino workers to be affected by POGO ban — PAGCOR. GMA News Online. Retrieved from https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/914407/40-000-filipino-workers-to-be-affected-by-pogo-ban-pagcor/story/
Rita, J., & GMA Integrated News. (2024, July 23). DOLE to offer jobs, livelihood to affected workers amid POGO ban. GMA News Online. Retrieved from https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/economy/914346/dole-to-offer-jobs-livelihood-to-affected-workers-amid-pogo-ban/story/
Barro, D. II. (2024, July 25). What will happen to displaced Pinoy POGO workers? DOLE bares plan to congressmen. Manila Bulletin. Retrieved from https://mb.com.ph/2024/7/25/what-will-happen-to-displaced-pinoy-pogo-workers-dole-bares-plan-to-congressmen
