The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reported that a mere 100 out of approximately 8,000 displaced workers from Internet Gaming Licensees (IGLs) were immediately employed at a recent job fair held in Pasay City. Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma shared these figures during a press conference at the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City, expressing his concern about the low employment rate among former Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) employees.
Despite the interest shown by around 18,000 affected workers who pre-registered for the two-day event named Career Con 2025, only about 8,000 attended. The job fair featured over 8,000 job vacancies offered by at least 150 employers.
Laguesma highlighted that many of these displaced workers are hesitant to seek new employment. Some are holding out hope for the possible reopening of POGOs, while others are either already employed elsewhere or are not interested in the salary levels being offered.
The government, however, remains committed to supporting these workers. Laguesma noted that the DOLE is actively reaching out to the approximately 40,000 IGL workers directly impacted by the closure of POGOs across regions such as Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and Central Visayas. These workers previously earned between PHP16,000 and PHP22,000.
In addition to job placement efforts, the DOLE is also focusing on skill enhancement for reemployment and offering up to PHP30,000 in livelihood assistance to help affected workers start their own businesses.