Worker’s held Labor Day Protest Nationwide; Labor Groups: PNOy Insensitive to Poor Workers’ Plea

On Labor Day, workers across the country conducted protests to advance their call on higher wages and improvement of working conditions, which as they say, were not properly addressed by the Aquino administration.

According to reports, there were rallies at different spots in Metro Manila, including Liwasang Bonifacio, Mendiola and outside Quiapo Church where Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle officiated a Mass for workers. Workers also converged rallies outside Metro Manila, including Cebu City.

Police reported that rallies and marches across the country were orderly and peaceful. There were no reported incidents of violence.

In Metro Manila, it was reported that streets were cleared by 6 p.m.

President Aquino spent his holiday in his hometown in Tarlac province. Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz was in-charge to ask the workers for more time for the government to deal with workers’ concerns. According to Baldoz, Aquino planned to meet the labor leaders regularly; the next one come May 30.

Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), the country’s largest labor group, labeled President Aquino’s empty-handedness during a dialogue with the Chief Executive on the eve of Labor Day, as being insensitive to the poor workers’ concerns.

During his dialogue with labor leaders on Tuesday at Malacañang, Aquino did not mention any wage increase, he also did not addressed the workers’ appeal on tax relief. An increase on Social Security System (SSS) members’ contribution was announced instead.

The Catholic Church reminded government and businesses on advancing human dignity over capital and profit.

Source: philstar.com, inquirer.net