Various labor groups marched from Liwasang Bonifacio to Mendiola to mark the 159th anniversary of Andres Bonifacio on Wednesday, Nov. 30, and to present to the Marcos administration a labor-focused agenda.
The “United Labor,” composed of the Nagkaisa! Labor Coalition, Kilusang Mayo Uno, Paggawa, All Workers Unity, Public Services International, and other cause-oriented groups, took to the streets to voice their demands.
Around 15,000 workers converged at Liwasang Bonifacio from different parts of Manila to lay a wreath at the monument of Bonifacio. They proceeded to march to Mendiola.
KMU and All Workers Unity marched from Plaza Miranda to Liwasang Bonifacio where the Nagkaisa contingent held its own program. The groups then marched together to Mendiola, with Paggawa joining them from Mehan Garden.
The protesters demanded from the Marcos administration concern for the workers.
The United Labor presented a five-point agenda that calls for:
- a wage hike
- decent work
- security of tenure
- quality public service, and
- respect for the right to unionize
“We haven’t heard President Bongbong Marcos, Jr. make any policy pronouncements on labor, not even support for a wage hike for workers amidst the rising inflation. Workers’ issues seem to have been set aside and the least of his priorities,” said Atty. Sonny Matula, chairperson of the Nagkaisa and president of the Federation of Free Workers (FFW), in a statement.
“Sa unang Bonifacio Day sa ilalim ng Marcos Jr. admin, kumikilos at nagkakaisa ang mga manggagawa sa panawagang itaas ang sahod sa buong bansa. Lahat tayo ay biktima ng hagupit ng krisis nitong mga nakaraang buwan. Dumausdos ang tunay na halaga ng sahod. Mababa na nga, lalo pang bumaba dahil sa tindi ng krisis (In the first Bonifacio Day under the Marcos Jr. admininstration, workers have mobilized and are united in the call to raise wages across the country. We are all victims of the scourge of this crisis in recent months. The real value of wages is already low, now it even decreases due to the severity of the crisis),” said Anne Krueger, of BPO Industries Employees Network and All Workers Unity.
KMU Chairperson Elmer Labog also said they will not just sit back until they see changes.
“Hangga't hindi kami nakakakita ng pagbabago o pag-unlad sa aming kalagayan, hindi kami mangingimi o mananahimik--patuloy kaming magkakaisa at lalaban (As long as we don’t see any changes or developments in our situation, we’re not going to be silenced. We are going to continue to unite and fight,” he said.