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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Labor group commemorates historic La Tondeña strike 50 years after Martial Law's declaration

Labor group commemorates historic La Tondeña strike 50 years after Martial Law's declaration

Published Sep 21, 2022 12:49 pm

In time for Martial Law’s 50th anniversary, labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) trooped outside the La Tondeña Distillery Inc. in Tondo, Manila to revive the historic and first major strike held in 1975 to resist the declaration of Martial Law.

KMU, on Wednesday morning, Sept. 21, held a protest of action to stand against the “oppressive” government and reiterate the rights of Filipino workers. For the labor group, the La Tondeña strike is a significant part of history, stressing that it broke the “fascist silence” established following the declaration of Martial Law in September 1972.

“Matapang, militante, makabayang itinirik ng mga manggagawa ng La Tondeña ang welga dito noong Oktubre 1975 (The courageous, militant, patriotic workers of La Tondeña mounted the strike here in October 1975),” said KMU Secretary General Jerome Adonis during the protest. 

KIlusang Mayo Uno trooped oustide La Tondeña Distillery Inc. in time for Martial Law's 50th anniversary (Photo courtesy of KMU)

Why was the protest conducted? At that time, according to Adonis, La Tondeña was an employer of a large number of contractual workers with low wages and insufficient benefits. 

“Noong panahon na ‘yan ay sinikil din ng diktadurang Marcos ang kalayaan sa pamamahayag. Ibig sabihin, ultimo pag uunyon at strike ay ipinagbawal sa ilalim ng Martial Law (During that time, the Marcos dictatorship also suppressed the freedom of expression and the press, prohibiting the conduct of union and strike under Martial Law),” Adonis added.

50 years after the declaration of Martial Law, Adonis stressed that Filipino workers are still suffering and barely surviving with minimum income.

“Ano ang nangyari sa mga ipinaglaban ng mga manggagawa? Nanatili pa rin na napakababa ng sahod ng mga mangagawa sa bansa kaya mahalaga na dapat ay ipaglaban ang dagdag sahod para sa mga empleyado (What happened to what the workers fought for? Filipinos’ wages remain very low, that is why it is important for us to fight for our rights to have wage increase),” he underscored.

With this, KMU urged the public to continue the workers’ fight for wages, jobs, and rights. They then stood their ground, highlighting their clear opposition against corruption and dictatorship.

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