Why Our People Leave the Homeland: A Situationer on Filipino Workers’ Struggle
Join us for an online educational discussion with speakers from Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) as we examine the worsening conditions of Filipino workers and the root causes that force millions to leave the country in search of survival.
Amid the deepening crisis of the global capitalist system and escalating imperialist conflicts, workers and urban poor communities continue to bear the brunt of unemployment, declining wages, and rising costs of living. In the Philippines, neoliberal policies such as labor export, privatization, deregulation, and trade liberalization have intensified economic vulnerability—resulting in widespread joblessness, poverty, and forced migration.
This discussion will connect how these conditions push Filipino workers abroad, where they often face new forms of exploitation, and why migrant Filipinos must stand in solidarity with workers back home. At the center of this struggle is the urgent demand for a ₱1200 living wage and genuine economic reforms.
Join us as we deepen our understanding of workers’ struggles and strengthen our collective call for just wages, decent work, and national industrialization.
EVENT DETAILS
Facilitated by KMU - The Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) is an independent labour center promoting genuine, militant and patriotic trade unionism. It is genuine because it recognizes the struggle between labor and capital and upholds the legitimate interests of the working class; militant because it relies on the workers collective struggle in defending trade union and democratic rights; and patriotic because it seeks to end imperialist domination and control over the Philippines.
Hosted by Pinay Collection, a Filipina feminist social enterprise whose mission is to strengthen international solidarity within Filipino and global movements by providing material support, mobilizing for people's struggles, and fostering educational discussions that challenge and dismantle oppressive systems.
With special remarks from Filipino informal workers.
Notes:
This workshop will be held online. Closed captions will be available throughout the session.
The whole discussion will be facilitated in English.
Time Zones:
Eastern Time (EDT): May 11 at 8:00 PM
Central Time (CDT): May 11 at 7:00 PM
Pacific Time (PDT): May 11 at 5:00 PM
Hawaii (HST): May 11 at 2:00 PM
UK (BST): May 12 at 1:00 AM
Philippine Time (PHT): May 12 at 8:00 AM
Australia (AEST - Sydney): May 12 at 10:00 AM
New Zealand (NZST): May 12 at 12:00 PM (noon)
Registration:
Registration for this educational discussion is free. However, we’re also offering an optional ticket, with proceeds going to KMU. The funds will support efforts to workers across the Philippines and support labour rights initiatives.