An advocacy group for overseas Filipino workers called on migrants worldwide on International Migrants Day, December 18, to withhold remittances in protest against what it described as systemic corruption in government.
The call for a Zero Remittance Day was led by Kilusang Bayan Kontra Kurakot–Global, a coalition of OFWs, professionals, women, youth, and faith leaders, with Migrante International as one of its convening organizations.
Josie Pingkihan, deputy secretary general of Migrante International, said migrant workers continue to contribute massively to the Philippine economy but receive little protection or benefit.
“Sa laki ng kontribusyon namin sa ekonomiya ng Pilipinas na umabot sa $38 billion last year, kabaliktaran ang kapalit. Inuuna ni BBM ang kanyang bulsa at kapit sa poder kaysa ipagtanggol ang ating karapatan,” Pingkihan said.
The initiative marks Migrante’s first call for a Zero Remittance Day in 12 years, previously held in 2013 against pork barrel abuses under former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III. Protest actions were also held in Manila at Mendiola by Migrante Philippines and labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno.
“Pabago-bago ang pangalan ng mga iskema, pero pork barrel at korapsyon ang nananaig pa rin sa gobyerno. Kaya namin ipinapamalas sa gobyernong Marcos ang aming galit: hindi kami magpapadala ni isang piso o dolyar dahil nanakawin lang ito ng mga korap,” Pingkihan said.
Organizers expect broad participation across the United States, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific regions, urging sustained global action to hold corrupt officials accountable.
“Ipapamalas namin kay BBM na hangga’t patuloy ang atake sa mga migrante at mamamayan, hangga’t nagpapatuloy ang rehimeng US-Marcos bilang ghost project sa taumbayan, hindi namin kayo tatantanan sa paglaban kasama ng mga Pilipino sa buong mundo,” she added.