The root cause is NOT the required attribute for the p:inputText

The enctype="multipart/form-data" attribute of the h:form is preventing the action for the p:remoteCommand.

It looks like p:remoteCommand does not like the form with attibute enctype="multipart/form-data"

Remove the attribute from your h:form and the action defined for the p:remoteCommand will get triggered. You can place the p:remoteCommand back inside the form.