Amid economic hardship, workers demand higher wages, job security, and public services on Labor Day as political elites vie for power
· Manila: Groups comprising National Wage Coalition will assemble along various points in España then march at 7:00 am to Mendiola for a joint program. PM and allied groups will assemble at Petron Blumentritt at 6:30 am
· Cebu: Various labor groups will converge at Fuente Osmeña, Cebu City at 9:00 am for a joint program
· Iloilo: The coalition United Labor will assemble in
the morning in front of UP Visayas then march to the Provincial Capitol for a
joint program
· Iligan: Unions will hold a rally in the morning at the
plaza with the city’s tripartite industrial peace council
As the nation approaches
Labor Day, Filipino workers are amplifying their demands for higher wages,
regular employment, and accessible public services amid worsening economic
conditions. Recent surveys reveal the deepening crisis: over one in four Filipino
families experience involuntary hunger—the highest rate since the
pandemic—while more than half consider themselves poor, the worst in 21
years.
These findings contradict the
government’s rosy economic claims of low inflation and unemployment. The
reality is stark: minimum wages remain below the poverty threshold,
contractualization (endo) is rampant, and public services like PhilHealth are
being gutted to fund political patronage.
Workers’ Demands
Workers demand a legislated
wage increase and reject the regional wage board system that keeps provincial
rates pitifully low. The Senate has approved a ₱100 hike, while the House
passed ₱200. President BBM must immediately endorse a legislated salary
increase.
· Nationwide wage hike, not provincial rates
· Regular jobs, not precarious endo contracts
· Fully funded public services as a right, not subject
to patronage
· Respect for labor rights, including unionization and
collective bargaining
Labor Day must spotlight the
independent voice of the working class, whose agenda—higher pay, job security,
affordable prices, and public services—are initial steps towards a lasting solution
to mass suffering.
Political Hypocrisy vs.
Workers’ Unity
While political dynasties
like the Marcoses and Dutertes battle for power and loot public coffers,
workers face hunger and exploitation.
Enough of elite
theatrics—Labor Day must unite workers across factions, regions, and
generations behind a shared platform.
On Labor Day, labor groups
will be rallying together despite electoral divides, prioritizing workers’
demands over partisan loyalties.
PM urges workers in key cities nationwide to join the Labor Day mobilizations to press for P200 wage hike, regular jobs, quality public services, and affordable prices for basic goods and services.
Partido Manggagawa
April 27, 2025