The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) admitted that it has yet to inspect the 60 Philippine offshore gaming Operators (POGOs) licensed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
“They are not part of those inspected because most them may not be operating in the country,” Bureau of Local Employment director Dominique R. Tutay said during DOLE’s budget hearing at the Senate on Tuesday.
She told Businessmirror some of the POGOs can operate in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Australia and the United States since the nature of their business relies on online activities.
What is being inspected by DOLE, Tutay clarified, are the 177 service providers of the 60 licensed POGO companies.
DOLE earlier said it has registered 83,999 workers in the POGO industry in the country. Of which, 13,856 are Filipinos, and 70,130 are foreign nationals.
Senator Joel Villanueva noted that since the concerned POGOs are based outside the country, it raises concerns on how the they can be regulated by the government.
Tutay said this and the taxation of said companies will be discussed in the inter-agency task force on POGO regulations on Wednesday.