Workers brace for Labor Day rally via social media

MILITANT labor groups will not allow Labor Day to pass without holding a rally — via social media.

In a virtual press conference on Tuesday , the Nagkaisa Labor Coalition (NAGKAISA) and the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) said they will make improvisations in the way they hold their usual protest action on May 1.

“This year’s Labor Day is different because of the ECQ in Metro Manila and other parts of the country. But we believe that social media will play an important role for us to be able to express our concerns and issues and communicate them with the government. And here, social media will be playing a vital role on Labor Day,” said NAGKAISA chairman Sonny Matula.

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Last week, the Labor Department said the annual celebration of Labor Day in the country has been canceled due to the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

Aside from social media, NAGKAISA and KMU said they believe there are still labor unions that will express themselves on Labor Day in the traditional albeit modified way.

“It will remain to be a participative action from our workers, who are in their workplaces or in communities where there are substantial numbers of workers. Surely, there are protests actions that will take place there,” said KMU chairman Elmer Labog.

Labog, however, assured the protest actions won’t be in violation of the ECQ guidelines.

“It can be within the ECQ areas and while observing social distancing. That will be the characteristic of these protests. It’s not necessary for them to leave their respective barangays,” Labog said.

Given the less physical demands of the coming Labor Day protest, Matula said he believes there will be more participants.

“During ordinary Labor Day, our estimate is 30,000 to 50,000 joining us in the streets. But now that it will be through social media, we may be able to see a doubling or tripling in the number of participating workers,” said Matula.

CASH AID FOR DISPLACED WORKERS NEEDED

An official of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) urged the government to give cash assistance to all displaced workers as a form of a gift.

CBCP-Commission on the Laity chairman Bishop Broderick Pabillo said it is imperative for government to provide financial aid to workers displaced by the ECQ.

“We hope everyone displaced will be given the amelioration allowance by the government as many remain unable to get their cash assistance,” said Pabillo.

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