Thousands join Labor Day protests as they call for fair wages, end to contractualization

By Madeleen Saguid

Trade unions and labor groups marched from España Boulevard to Mendiola St., Manila in protest for the 121st Labor Day in the Philippines on May 1, 2023. Various labor lawyers and activists also stood with workers to promote wage increases, job security and workers' rights (Photo by Madeleen Sadguid).

Trade unions and various labor organizations from different sectors in the country joined together in protest to call for fair wages and the end of contractualization in commemoration of the 121st Labor Day on May 1, 2023 at Mendiola, Manila.

All Trade Unions Philippines, Trade Union Congress Philippines, Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino and Kilusang Mayo Uno united to promote wage increases, job security and workers' rights.

“Nagkakaisa kami na isulong ang pagtaas ng sahod, yung kasiguruhan sa trabaho, [at] yung karapatan ng mga manggagawa, lalong-lalo na sa pag organiza ng union,” said labor lawyer and NAGKAISA Coalition chair, Atty. Sonny Matula in a mini-press conference.

“Nagkakaisa kami sa House of Representatives proposal na 750 pesos. Pero kung hindi kaya yun, yung 150 pesos na proposal ni TUCP congressman Mendoza ay sinusuportahan namin,” he added.

Last month, the Makabayan bloc representatives filed House Bill No. 7568, which will grant a 750 peso across-the-board wage hike for workers in the private sector.

As demonstrations were held in the capital, protesters criticized President Bongbong Marcos’ official visit to the United States and called for the government to pay attention to the plight of Filipino workers.

“Nakakalungkot na sa unang Mayo Uno ni Presidente Bongbong Marcos Jr. na nauna pa ang mga Kano kaysa sa mga Pilipino,” said KMU chair, Elmer Labog.

Prior to Labor Day, Malacañang also issued Executive Order No. 23 on creating an inter-agency committee to strengthen and facilitate labor resolutions in the country, but the Palace failed to include labor groups and workers in their decision-making process.

“Major stakeholder ang workers dito sa attacks na dinulog na freedom of association at naging resulta ng ILO (International Labour Organization) high-level tripartite mission,” said Labog.

He also criticized Marcos Jr.’s foreign agreements and raised the issue of why many Filipinos leave the country in search of greener pastures abroad.

“Stop on depending on foreign investments. Dapat inward-looking at hindi outward-looking development. Ang direct foreign investment tulad ng development paradigm ng mga nakaraan at kasalukuyanng gobyerno ay hindi tugon sa kawalan ng trabaho ng mga maraming Pilipino. Ito ay dahilan kung bakit umaalis ng bansa ang 10 milyong manggagawang Pilipino,” Labog added.

Meanwhile, various job fairs are conducted nationwide, with over 8,000 vacancies available. One of the largest job fairs was held at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City on April 30, 2023.

This was the first Labor Day protest since the pandemic, and laborers still fight for the same concerns—fair wages.