Members of various labor groups converged n Calamba in Laguna to mark Labor Day on Wednesday, May 1, 2019. (Image from Google Maps)
CALAMBA CITY, LAGUNA, Philippines — Sectoral groups from the Southern Tagalog region converged at the crossing in this city for the commemoration of Labor Day on Wednesday.
Led by the Pagkakaisa ng Manggagawa sa Timog Katagalugan-Kilusang Mayo Uno (Pamantik-KMU), Labor Day activities included speeches, cultural presentations, a parade of floats and murals, and effigy-burning.
The workers were pushing for a minimum daily wage increase from the P315-to-P400 range to P750 in the area and the end of contractualization.
They were also protesting the worsening working conditions in factories and economic zones.
After the Labor Day program, a mitin de avance was held by Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan Southern Tagalog, a coalition of progressive party lists Alliance of Concerned Teachers, Anakpawis, Bayan Muna, Gabriela, and Kabataan. —Kimmy Baraoidan