A group of health workers marched in Manila to call for a living wage and job security as they marked Health Workers Day on Tuesday, May 7.
The health workers were joined by doctors and nurses from private and public hospitals as they marched along Espana Boulevard in Manila carrying a tarpaulin with the message, “Fight for the P33K entry salary for public and private health workers.”
Upon reaching Morayta, Manila, they negotiated with the personnel of the Manila Police District (MPD) to let them pass and stage a program in Mendiola.
They were allowed by the MPD to stage their program until Nicanor Reyes Street.
The protesters carried placards bearing messages such as “End contractualization! No to understaffing!” “Sahod Itaas! (Salary increase!)” “Free health services for the poor” and “No to understaffing, yes to more plantilla positions!"
They also chanted, “Tayo po ay manggagawang pangkalusugan na naglilingkod sa bayan! (We are health workers who are serving our country!)".
Some of them wore face masks of President Marcos, with a message that said: “No to salary increase, yes to charter change and Balikatan exercises."
Authorities advised motorists to avoid Morayta to Recto Avenue due to the protest of the health workers.