Dateline : May 1. It is known as Labor Day and is considered a public holiday. Labor
unions and organizations hold mass protests in major cities, while
schoolchildren have no classes as it is part of the local summer
holiday.
On May 1, 1903, the Union Obrera Democratica Filipina (Filipino Democratic Labor Union) held a massive rally in front of the Malacañan Palace
demanding workers' economic rights, and the granting Philippine
independence. Ten years later, the first official celebration was
celebrated on May 1, 1913 when 36 labor unions convened at the Cine Oriente along C.M. Recto street, then known as Azcarraga, in Manila. Around 36 labor unions
heeded the call to hold congress and unite under one umbrella, the
better to fight for the rights of Filipino workers. Thus was born the
Congreso Obrero de Filipinas (COF) or Congress of Philippine Labor.
Since then, Labor Day in the Philippines has been commemorated not only with parades and celebrations, but also with rallies and demonstrations of the labor sector.
During the Presidency of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo,
the holiday economics policy was followed, where holidays were moved to
weekends to give workers a longer vacation. This was applied on Labor
Day in 2002, which caused the holiday to be held on April 29; this was
protested by labor groups, as they accused the Arroyo administration of
belittling the holiday.By 2008, Labor Day was excluded in the holiday economics policy,
returning the commemorations every May 1, no matter what day of the week
it falls under.
In a 2013 statement, the militant Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) said there’s chronic unemployment in the country because the government has refused to develop agriculture and basic industries to serve local needs and has instead relied on foreign investments to generate jobs.
It said that the country’s dependence on foreign investments has failed to generate sufficient jobs in the country and has only resulted in lower wages, contractual employment, and violations of workers’ rights.
In a 2013 statement, the militant Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) said there’s chronic unemployment in the country because the government has refused to develop agriculture and basic industries to serve local needs and has instead relied on foreign investments to generate jobs.
It said that the country’s dependence on foreign investments has failed to generate sufficient jobs in the country and has only resulted in lower wages, contractual employment, and violations of workers’ rights.
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