More than 300 gather at Labour Day rally

KUALA LUMPUR: Over 300 people gathered here for the May Day rally in conjunction with Labour Day yesterday.

The event, organised by the May Day secretariat, was supported by over 100 groups, including political parties, nongovernmental organisations, student movements and civil societies.

It started before 10am with people gathering at Maju Junction, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman.

The rally, themed “Prioritise Workers, Save Malaysia” (Utamakan Pekerja, Selamatkan Malaysia), was held for the 22nd time since 1994 (there was no rally in 2013 due to the 13th General Election).

Armed with placards and bands, the group chanted “Bangkit rakyat, bangkit pekerja” (the people rise, workers rise) and sang several songs, including Lagu Lawan and Lagu Rakyat as they marched from Maju Junction to Medan Pasar.

They were guided by traffic marshals and traffic police as they made their way peacefully to Medan Pasar.

The secretariat came out with a declaration calling for workers’ rights and welfare to be taken care of.

The declaration also listed some 17 demands, which included:

Establishment of a Workers Retrenchment Fund to compensate workers who lose their jobs if their employers are declared bankrupt;

Establishing the minimum wage of RM1,500;

Abolishing the Goods and Services Tax (GST); Allowing for a free media; Ensuring students’ rights by abolishing the University and University Colleges Act (AUKU) and National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN), and

Stopping discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation.

The group then gathered at the grounds of Medan Pasar where several representatives from various groups took to the stage to speak to the crowd.

The crowd dispersed peacefully at 12.30pm.