Over 7,000 POGO Workers Face Deportation, Says DOLE
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) announced that more than 7,000 foreign workers without work permits may face deportation soon. Dominique R. Tutay, DOLE’s Bureau of Local Employment director, said there are about 7,037 foreigners working in the Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) industry who failed to secure an alien employment permit (AEP) before the mid-June deadline.
An AEP allows foreigners to work in the country for more than six months. Tutay said that they will pass on the names of those who failed to comply with the requirements to the Bureau of Immigration, adding that the number could rise since their inspection only covered Metro Manila.
The government earlier introduced a tighter inspection measure on the growing number of foreign nationals working in the country, amid concerns from some legislators that majority of them have not obtained the required work permits. This led to the issuance of a new joint memorandum circular signed by different government agencies.
