Filtered By: Topstories
News

Traffic snarled on España Blvd. as groups begin Labor Day march


Traffic on the southbound part of España Boulevard in Manila was snarled Wednesday morning as labor groups occupied several lanes of the road as they march to Mendiola Bridge near Malacañang. Several motorists passing through España were stuck as workers' groups held their Labor Day marches and protest activities in Manila to demand better working conditions, dzBB reported. Umbrella militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) lamented the meaning of Labor Day is still "lost" on President Benigno Aquino III. Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr. scored Aquino for claiming workers should credit the positive things government has done, instead of holding protests. “Aquino still doesn’t get it. Labor Day is held just once a year. It is a time when workers air their demands and grievances, many of which have been ignored by [the present] and all previous [administrations]. It’s called Labor Day, Mr. President, not ‘cheer the government day,’" Reyes said in an article on posted on Bayan website on April 30. "You want workers to give your government a pat on the back, when in fact it should be your government trying to address the demands of the workers?” Reyes added. Bayan added workers have all the reasons to take to the streets and fight for their demands, citing poverty and the erosion of the standard of living, trade union repression, demolition of urban poor communities and the privatization of government services. Reyes said Aquino's approach is no different from the previous regime of his predecessor Gloria Arroyo. "He offers non-wage benefits and job fairs as if these are enough to meet the rising cost of living. It’s a big irony since there’s this talk of the Philippines being a rising tiger yet all it can give the workers is a pittance,” Reyes said. “Today’s protests and marches will certainly dispute Aquino’s claims of inclusive growth. The protests will dispel claims of a growing economy,” he added. — LBG, GMA News

LOADING CONTENT