The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in the Philippines has announced a job fair scheduled for next month aimed at assisting workers displaced by the closure of internet gaming licensees (IGLs), previously known as Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).
This special job fair, set for October 10th in Parañaque City, seeks to provide new employment opportunities for those affected by the shutdown of these companies.
During the “Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas” forum, DOLE-National Capital Region Assistant Director Jude Thomas Trayvilla revealed that more than 19,000 workers are expected to lose their jobs due to the cessation of operations of various IGLs this year.
“As of September 16th, 48 IGLs have already provided a list of Filipino employees who will be affected by their closure. A total of 19,341 employees, most of whom are earning between PHP16,000 ($290) to PHP22,000 ($400), are at risk of displacement,” Trayvilla stated. He noted that the majority of these workers are employed in roles such as administration, encoding, human resources, liaison, finance, and information technology.
Trayvilla added that the DOLE-NCR is currently following up with the remaining establishments to obtain their employee lists as soon as possible. “For now, we are continuously coordinating with the remaining establishments to acquire the necessary lists at the earliest opportunity,” he explained.
In addition to the job fair details, DOLE-NCR Assistant Director Olivia Obrero-Samson announced that around 70 employers are expected to participate in the event, which will take place at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay along Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard. The job fair is being organized in collaboration with the Public Employment Services Office (PESO) of the local government unit, aiming to match displaced workers with new employment prospects.
The job fair follows the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who has given POGO companies until the end of 2024 to cease operations. The government is working to mitigate the impact on Filipino workers as these companies wind down, providing opportunities to transition into new roles within different industries.
