Today, May 1, 2023, marks the 121st Labor Day celebration in the Philippines. It is also known as “Araw ng mga Manggagawa.”
The first Labor Day was when the first workers union in the country staged a protest against American imperialism, and capitalism, and sought independence for the country, according to the Official Gazette of the Philippines.
Labor Day was first celebrated on May 1, 1903, according to the Official Gazette, which outlined the founding of the Union Obrera Democratica de Filipinas (UODF), formerly known as the Union Obrera Democratica, on Feb. 2, 1902. Its founders were Isabelo de los Reyes and Herminigildo Cruz. The UODF is recognized as the first workers’ union in the country.
The protest was led by Dominador Gomez, a labor leader who later became De los Reyes’ successor.
According to the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), the group marched from Plaza Mariones in Tondo, Manila to Malacañang where the American leaders were then housed. The protest is considered to be one of the first that took place on the streets of Manila. The group was met by military personnel who were deployed to restore order.
In 1908, the Philippine Assembly passed a bill officially recognizing May 1st as a national holiday.
Five years later, in 1913, the first official Labor Day commemoration was held. According to the NHCP, that was attended by 36 labor unions who convened in a labor congress, known as the Congreso Obrero de Filipinas (COF) or Congress of Philippine Labor at Cine Oriente on C.M. Recto Street in Manila, previously known as Azcarraga. Elected as president was Hermenigildo Cruz.
Congreso Obrero de Filipinas passed several resolutions, among them, one condemning the American Federation of Labor which excluded Asians and African Americans from its membership; another to advocate for Philippine Independence; and to fight for the legislation of the eight-hour workday, which we enjoy today. In the past, a typical work day for a Filipino working at an American firm was 12 hours or more.
In the past years, Labor Day is also commemorated by the holding of job fairs. This year, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) announced that over 59,000 job vacancies will be offered at job fairs held nationwide throughout the day.
But Labor Day will still be the time when issues and concerns about labor will be brought out through street protests, discussed in traditional and social media, and in forums. Among the issues that will be raised are on unemployment, contractualization, minimum wage, and safe working conditions.
The theme of this year’s Labor Day is “Pabahay, Bilihing Abot-Presyo, Benepisyo ng Matatag na Trabaho Para sa Manggagawang Pilipino.”
The Labor Code of the Philippines, enacted in 1974, protects workers from abuse and exploitation. Among the articles in the code are the rights of the worker for weekly rest days, extra payment for overtime work, limited working hours. Another example of laws aimed to give benefits to workers is the 13th-month pay, by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 851, which was signed in 1976, mandates the employer to provide a cash benefit to its employees on or before the 24th of December each year. (Pancho Parian)