Concerned Filipino workers belonging to the advocacy group Migrante have warned they will launch a “No Remittance Day” protest if the pro-administration Congressmen in the Philippines pursue their move to convene a constituent assembly at the opening of the Congress session next month.
John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator, said the planned campaign was a legitimate and fair protest action to show their displeasure with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her allies in Congress who, he said, were attempting to change the system of government to extend their stay in power.
Migrante-Qatar, led by Jhon de Jesus, is joining the protest action.
Monterona said aside from urging the families and relatives of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) back home to join protests scheduled for June 10 and 17, they would ask for the understanding of the OFWs’ dependents if their loved ones working abroad do not send their remittance on a particular day every month to express their disapproval of the Arroyo administration’s move.
“We have a government under the Arroyo administration that is negligent and has long been committing economic plunder of our nation at the expense of the sweat and blood of millions of OFWs, who are forced to work abroad due to her failure to create jobs locally with decent wages and benefits for our workers,” Monterona said.
Monterona said the OFWs could in no way be accused of being economic saboteurs if they act collectively and do not send their remittances on one day every month if the pro-administration Congressmen convene the constituent assembly to effect changes in the Constitution that betray the people’s trust in them.
“The OFWs and their families have enough reasons to completely withdraw their trust and confidence in the Arroyo administration,” he said.
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