Every Day 1 of May in the Philippines is celebrated Labor day. While it is a holiday intended to celebrate or to honor and recognize the laborers/workers and their contributions to the development and achievements of the Philippines, ironically, for many years now, it has been a day of protest where laborers mourn. Laborers lament the situation of the country from its lack of job opportunities, high cost of living, to having low salary standards and what not; especially when inflation has been at its highest.
In fact, one of the many known labor unions in the country, the militant Kilusang Mayo Uno, just like on the prior years, held a massive protest rally last May 1, with having the same goal — calling the government for a wage increase, to produce more jobs, and to address the effects of inflation.
What’s different this year, however, was that the government gave financial aid to workers, unlike the prior years.
At the Laging Handa public briefing, Labor Undersecretary Benjo Benavidez said as a Labor Day gift, DOLE extends P1.8 billion worth of financial aid, including emergency employment and livelihood assistance.
To conclude, it is prayed that the Government, especially the President, will be more active in finding ways, just like the abovementioned, to hear the plea of the citizens, not only because they ask for it, but because it is their sworn duty to do so. (AJDB)
