The gesture, dubbed “Zero-Remmittance Day,” is meant to send a message to the government that the workers are serious about the move to abolish the pork barrel system and end corruption.
In a statement, Migrante International's Gary Martinez said Wednesday 112 Filipino migrant organizations all over the world are coordinating their protest and will not send remittances to their families in the Philippines on September 19. It is meant as a blow against widespread corruption, patronage politics and social injustice.
“Filipino immigrants from all over the world will once again send a united message against the pork barrel system. Our remittances that keep the economy afloat are being plundered by greedy officials,” Martinez said.
Through the Zero Remittance Day, OFWs want to pressure the government to re-channel funds from PDAF to programs directly promoting the people’s interest, "including more efficient services and welfare assistance to OFWs in distress,” he added.
The first Zero Remittance Day was launched on October 29, 2008 in protest against the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) which was held in Manila. The ZRD criticized the GFMD and the Philippine government’s promotion of what it called "modern-day slavery" through the labor export policy. It was supported by more than 112 Filipino migrant organizations all over the world, resulting in hundreds of millions lost in remittances.
The second ZRD protested former Pres. Gloria Arroyo’s attempts to implement charter change through a constitutional assembly on July 26, 2009.
source: interaksyon.com
