THOUSANDS of workers marched the streets of Manila on Labor Day, May 1, to call for stronger labor protections and wage reforms from the Marcos administration.
As early as 6 a.m. yesterday, Flora Santos, organizer of the Metro Manila Vendors Alliance, led workers in a call for a P200 wage hike.
“Hanggang ngayon, ang kalagayan ng mamamayang Pilipino, lalo ang manggagawa ay nagugutom at naghihirap dahil mababa ang sahod, kontraktwalisasyon, hindi regular ang trabaho, mataas ang presyo ng bilihin,” said Santos.
The protest route passed through España, Nicanor Reyes, and Recto Avenue, which were temporarily closed to motorists. Mendiola was the planned endpoint, but police barricades prevented protestors from going beyond Recto.
A makeshift stage was set up in Recto, where workers voiced their demands in song and performance to advocate for regularization, safer workplace conditions, and improved public services.
“Isa rin sa mga nararanasan ng mga manggagawa sa iba’t ibang coal-fired power plants, mga minahan, hindi nagkakaroon ng pagpapatupad para panatilihin ang kanilang seguridad kapag meron silang operasyon sa mga planta,” said Laica Rayel of Philippine Movement for Climate Justice.
Last month, Malacañang announced that the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board was reviewing wage levels by region. (ABS-CBN News)
