Workers march on Labor Day to back Leni’s presidency

MEMBERS of Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), one of the largest and oldest militant labor groups in the Philippines, marched on major streets in the capital region on Sunday to protest President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s failed promise to end short-term employment contracts.

This was the first time KMU held a pinkthemed march on Labor Day, which has been traditionally commemorated with large protests in front of the Philippine presidential palace.

KMU and other labor groups later gathered at an indoor arena near the capital Manila to express their support for the presidential run of VicePresident Maria Leonor “Leni”G. Robredo.

“Duterte promised to end contractualization but nothing happened,” said Jan Robert R. Go, an assistant political science professor at the University of the Philippines (UP), adding that politicians have exploited labor reform promises.

“This is something we should look out for,” he said in a Facebook Messenger chat. “Politicians are still trapped within the donor-centered campaign. They need to ensure they balance their support for labor with their support for large industries and big corporations.”

KMU earlier lauded Ms. Robredo’s commitment to review minimum wages nationwide and end labor contractualization.

“Labor leaders and groups, especially the progressive ones, tend to support or work with candidates who are sympathetic to their cause,” said Arjan P. Aguirre, a political science instructor at the Ateneo De Manila University.

“They know how to spot a candidate who is merely campaigning, and a candidate who is willing to work with them.”

Mr. Go said some politicians have been giving generic promises such as higher wages and livelihood for all without saying how they plan to do these.

“Experience is important in dealing with labor,” he said. “How can a person detached from the realities of the working class consider their welfare?”

Maria Ela L. Atienza, who also teaches political science at UP, said the next government should include concerns about short-term employment, labor rights and welfare, and pandemic recovery in the government’s agenda for workers.

She added that among presidential candidates, only Ms.

Robredo and labor leader Leodegario “Ka

Leody” de Guzman have laid out clear programs for the labor sector, which has been severely affected by the coronavirus pandemic.