Manila: The government will continue holding job fairs for displaced workers of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO), now known as internet gaming licensees (IGLs) that are set to shut down by yearend, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said Monday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has assured continued assistance for affected employees of IGLs, even into January and February next year. Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma emphasized in a press briefing that DOLE regional offices and Public Employment Service Offices (PESO) are prepared to assist those in need of employment.

The next special job fair is scheduled to take place in Calabarzon this Friday. Laguesma noted that there is a job fair planned for December 6 in Biñan, Laguna in collaboration with the local government of Biñan City. He also affirmed that workers from POGO firms would not face discrimination at these job fairs.

Laguesma identified two primary reasons for the low turno
ut of POGO workers at these events. Some workers remain unconvinced about the impending closure of the companies, while others are seeking positions that offer salaries and benefits comparable to their current employment. Many of the job vacancies available at the fairs are entry-level positions, according to Laguesma.

In a related development, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) has reminded foreign POGO workers to adhere to the government’s deadline of December 31 to leave the country. Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado highlighted the urgency of the situation, pointing out that foreign nationals have only 29 days left to comply with the directive on the cessation of POGO operations.

Viado reported that as of November 7, 21,757 foreign nationals associated with POGO operations have voluntarily downgraded their work visas to temporary visitor visas, and 10,821 of them have already left the country. In October, the bureau issued cancellation orders to 12,106 foreign nationals who have not yet downgraded their visas
, requiring them to leave before the end of the year.

Viado warned that those who fail to meet the deadline will face deportation proceedings and will be blacklisted. The BI anticipates that approximately 20,000 more foreign POGO workers will depart in the coming weeks.