Workers wear ‘angry’ red shirts in Labor Day march

Rappler.com

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

Workers wear ‘angry’ red shirts in Labor Day march
Labor groups are demanding the delivery of the Aquino administration's campaign promises, which they say remain unfulfilled

MANILA, Philippines – Members of a militant labor group wore red shirts as they marched towards Mendiola on May 1, Labor Day,  to join other workers demanding better labor conditions from the government.

The Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP) said it asked its members to wear red shirts on Thursday to express their collective anger at the “elitist regime of Noynoy Aquino and its neoliberal economic policies” that hurt poor workers.

KIDS PROTEST. Filipino children hold placards during a protest to mark Labor day in Manila, Philippines, May 1, 2014. Photo by Ritchie B. Tongo/EPA

The BMP joined the NAGKAISA labor alliance march, which converged early in Quezon City morning before heading for Mendiola.

The group accused the Aquino administration of failing to deliver on its anti-corruption, pro-poor promise more than halfway into its term.

NAGKAISA. Thousand of workers belonging to Nagkaisa on their way to Mendiola, 01 May 2014. Photo by Ritchie Tongo/EPA

Nagkaisa – the biggest alliance of labor groups and workers’ organizations in the country –  was planning to gather 30,000 workers in its march to Mendiola in Manila on Labor Day to air their demands from government, including lower power rates and tax breaks for ordinary workers.

Although Nagkaisa recognized Aquino’s efforts to include workers in dialogues, the group slammed the President for failing to address their demands to curb power rates, impose tax breaks and end the system of contractualization.

 

FLAGS IN THE AIR. Filipino protesters carry banners and placards during a protest march to mark Labor day in Manila, Philippines, May 1, 2014. Ritchie B. Tongo/EPA

 

Aquino conducted a pre-Labor Day meeting with labor groups on Tuesday, responding to their demands, but the sector’s representatives were not satisfied with what they heard.

The  Philippine National Police (PNP) has announced the deployment of “police videographers” at the Labor Day protests to monitor “ranks of groups holding public assemblies,” as well as the PNP’s own men. – Rappler.com

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!