MANILA, (PIA) — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is preparing measures in case the government decides to ban Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in the country.
“Pinaghahandaan namin. Ina-anticipate namin ang posibleng negative effect,” Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said.
Laguesma said they don’t want the workers to end up in a sudden situation without jobs if the government decides to shut down POGOs. That’s why, he said they are preparing measures to help them transition to other employment opportunities.
According to the labor chief, they are currently conducting profiling of workers in the National Capital Region (NCR), where most POGOs are concentrated, as well as in Regions 3, 7, and 4A.
Laguesma explained that the profiling includes identifying the skills of POGO workers, so that they can find alternative employment opportunities that have materialized in the country.
He said this step is to ensure that if the closure of POGOs pushes through, the affected workers will not be left in a sudden situation without jobs.
He added that they are already transitioning and providing reskilling and retraining for POGO employees.
The labor chief also clarified that they are not encouraging the workers to simply open “sari-sari” (neighborhood) stores as an alternative livelihood.
The DOLE wants to ensure that the affected workers will have sustainable employment. (JCO/PIA-NCR)
