LOOK: Labor Day protest at NHA to demand end of contractualization

Protesters march to the NHA office in Quezon City to demand end of contractualization. (Photo by PATHRICIA ANN V. ROXAS)

Hundreds of protesters flocked in front of the National Housing Authority (NHA) office in Quezon City on Labor Day, Tuesday to demand just compensation for workers and eradicate contractualization in the country.

While the group is calling on the government to scrap contractualization, Michael Beltran, of  the Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay), said they are no longer expecting President Rodrigo Duterte to sign the executive order to end “endo” or end of contract.

“Kung pipirmahan man nya yun ay dahil na sa pressure ng iba’t ibang grupo,” he added.

The crowd in the area was estimated at 200 as of 6:30 a.m. by police but Beltran said they are around 1,000.

The group will march towards Welcome Rotonda to converge with other groups before marching towards Mendiola.

Kadamay also led a “homeless camp” in front of the NHA before proceeding to join the giant labor day protest.

Kadamay National Chairperson Gloria Arellano even likened the situation of workers and urban poor under the Duterte government to the recent collapse of a bridge in Zamboanga where lawmakers and other city officials and personnel fell off.

“Nakita natin ang pagbagsak ng tulay sa Zamboanga, pero araw araw itong dinadanas ng napakaraming kababayan natin,” she added.

(Photo by PATHRICIA ANN V. ROXAS)

Anakpawis Rep. Ariel Casilao dubbed the 115th year of commemoration of the International Labor Day in the Philippines as a “monumental” event where various major labor organizations would participate, the first in recent decades.

“Workers unity is essential to rally the working class against Pres. Duterte who treats his promise to end contractualization as mere political child’s play that he could turn away from without expecting consequences,” Casilao said in a statement.

“His latest statement that he again considered issuing an Executive Order is just another trick.  We should not fall for his another ‘paasa’ stunt. Let’s bring the fight to Malacańang, We are fed up with his promises,” the lawmaker added.   /muf