Press Release - Ban on POGOs needs safety nets for local workers --Gatchalian

Senator Win Gatchalian said safety nets should be put in place for Filipino workers in the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) industry who will be displaced if a total ban on all POGOs is legislated.

"We will ensure that legislating a total ban on POGOs will include a provision for safety nets for workers who would be adversely affected by the ban," said Gatchalian, chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, which recently conducted a public hearing on the proposed ban on all POGOs.

In re-creating the Philippine economy without POGOs as source of income, the government needs to lay down transitory mechanisms, such as employment of affected Filipino nationals, emphasized Gatchalian, adding that the welfare of workers currently working for the industry should be looked after.

Based on data provided by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), which was submitted by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), a total of 25,064 Filipinos are employed by various POGOs operating in the country as of 2023. This accounts for 52.2% share of local workers in terms of POGO employment compared to 22,915 foreign workers working for the industry.

Safety nets for POGO workers would include upskilling, and reskilling programs to ensure that they can have replacement jobs as soon as possible, the senator said.

Expressing support for the proposed legislation to ban POGO operations in the country, DOLE Undersecretary Felipe Egargo said the department is prepared to implement as soon as necessary for programs intended to aid POGO workers.

According to Egargo, DOLE is prepared to undertake facilitation programs for reskilling and upskilling displaced POGO workers on top livelihood and emergency employment through the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD), DOLE's community-based emergency employment for displaced workers initially implemented by the department during the pandemic.

Gatchalian further asked DOLE to undertake a skills mapping of POGO workers to ascertain specific programs that could be implemented for such workers.

"Kailangan nating pangalagaan ang kapakanan ng mga kababayan nating nagtatrabaho sa mga