· Manila: Groups comprising National Wage Coalition will assemble along various points in España then march at 7:00 am to Mendiola for a joint program

· Cebu: Various labor groups will converge at Fuente Osmeña, Cebu City at 9:00 am

for a joint program

· Iloilo: The coalition United Labor will assemble in the morning in front of UP Visayas then march to the Provincial Capitol for a joint program

· Iligan: Unions will hold a rally in the morning at the plaza with the city’s tripartite industrial peace council

As the nation approaches Labor Day, Filipino workers are amplifying their demands for higher wages, regular employment, and accessible public services amid worsening economic conditions. Recent surveys reveal the deepening crisis: over one in four Filipino families experience involuntary hunger—the highest rate since the pandemic—while more than half consider themselves poor, the worst in 21 years.

These findings contradict the government’s rosy economic claims of low inflation and unemployment. The reality is stark: minimum wages remain below the poverty threshold, contractualization (endo) is rampant, and public services like PhilHealth are being gutted to fund political patronage.

Workers’ Demands

Workers demand a legislated wage increase and reject the regional wage board system that keeps provincial rates pitifully low. The Senate has approved a ₱100 hike, while the House passed ₱200. President BBM must immediately endorse a legislated salary increase.

· Nationwide wage hike, not provincial rates

· Regular jobs, not precarious endo contracts

· Fully funded public services as a right, not subject to patronage

· Respect for labor rights, including unionization and collective bargaining

Labor Day must spotlight the independent voice of the working class, whose agenda—higher pay, job security, affordable prices, and public services—are initial steps towards a lasting solution to mass suffering.

Political Hypocrisy vs. Workers’ Unity

While political dynasties like the Marcoses and Dutertes battle for power and loot public coffers, workers face hunger and exploitation.

Enough of elite theatrics—Labor Day must unite workers across factions, regions, and generations behind a shared platform.

On Labor Day, labor groups will be rallying together despite electoral divides, prioritizing workers’ demands over partisan loyalties.

PM urges workers in key cities nationwide to join the Labor Day mobilizations to press for P200 wage hike, regular jobs, quality public services, and affordable prices for basic goods and services. ###

Partido Manggagawa (PM)
Labor Party - Philippines