According to the World Migration Report 2024, there is approximately 281 million international migrants in the world which equates to 3.6% of the global population. But despite being essential contributors to the global economy, the prevailing neoliberal framework has rendered them among the most exploited and oppressed workers worldwide.
Migrant workers endure low wages, denial of basic rights, various forms of abuse, and vulnerability to gender-based violence. Moreover, mechanisms to protect them from human trafficking and organized crime syndicates remain inadequate.
In Indonesia, Philippines, Cambodia and elsewhere, labor migration has become a stopgap measure to address unemployment and poverty. Government bodies actively promote migration opportunities, extending these efforts to educational institutions such as universities, senior high schools, and Islamic boarding schools. However, migration policies in the country prioritize accelerating labor migration over ensuring the rights and protection of migrant workers.
A prominent case highlighting these challenges is that of Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipino migrant worker who fell victim to illegal recruiters and human traffickers. Nearly 15 years ago, she was sentenced to death in Indonesia for drug trafficking and faced execution by firing squad in 2015. She received a last-minute reprieve when the Indonesian government deemed her necessary to testify against a suspected human trafficker.
After 14 years of detention in Indonesia, Mary Jane has returned to the Philippines. Migrants, women, human rights groups, advocates, and various organizations continue to urge the Marcos Jr. administration to ensure her safe return and grant immediate clemency, recognizing her as victim of human trafficking.
On International Migrants Day, migrant workers continue to face significant challenges. Many come from impoverished backgrounds, seeking opportunities abroad to improve their quality of life and lift their families out of poverty. Addressing these issues require economic policies focused on developing national economies through local industry growth, agricultural advancement, and providing essential social services. Ultimately, governments must veer away from neoliberal policies centered on remittances, foreign investments, and debt-driven infrastructure projects.
The Asia Pacific Research Network (APRN) supports the growing resistance against neoliberal impositions that perpetuate forced migration and exploitation. We demand an end to forced migration, abuses, and the systemic exploitation, and oppression of migrants that serve imperialist interests. We also call for Mary Jane Veloso’s safe return to her family and the granting of full clemency on humanitarian grounds.
In solidarity with all migrant workers, we reaffirm our commitment in advocating for policies that uphold human dignity, workers’ rights, and social justice.
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