THE SIGNIFICANCE OF LABOR DAY
Philippine Labor Day, also known as "Araw ng mga Manggagawa" in the Philippines, is a national public holiday celebrated every 1st of May, celebrate hardworking Filipinos across the country. It is a day to recognize and honor the contributions and achievements of workers and labor organizations in the country. People in the Philippines relax and spend the day with their family and friends.
The significance of Labor Day in the Philippines dates back to the early 20th century when workers fought for better working conditions, fair wages, and the right to organize. On May 1, 1903, the first Labor Day was celebrated in the country, organized by the Union Obrera Democratica Filipina (Filipino Democratic Labor Union).
Today, Labor Day is a time to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of Filipino workers in various industries, including agriculture, manufacturing, service, and government sectors. According to my research, the celebration of Labor Day is not just another public holiday that Filipinos celebrate every year. It represents the hard-fought struggles of labor unions and organized trades to demand fairer working conditions and workers' rights.
In general, Labor Day is an important holiday in the Philippines that serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for fair labor practices and workers' rights, as well as a celebration of the contributions and achievements of Filipino workers.
THE HISTORY OF LABOR DAY
Philippines Labor Day was first celebrated on May 1, 1903. More than 100,000 employees were organized by the country’s first labor organization, “Union Obrera Democratica de Filipina (U.O.D.F.),” to march from Tondo’s Plaza Moriones to Malacanang. These workers protested and demanded fair wages and better working conditions from the then-American-led government. The event is considered one of the first protests in the streets of Manila.
The U.O.D.F. was formed in February 1902 by Isabelo Delos Reyes” and “Herminigildo Cruz” to defend the rights of the working class while under American occupation. In August 1902, the American-led government arrested Delos Reyes for rebellion, sedition, and “conspiracy to raise the price of labor.” Post his arrest, “Dominador Gomez” succeeded him. Under Dominador Gomez’s rule, the U.O.D.F. led the march alongside 100,000 workers, where he was also arrested on the same grounds as Delos Reyes. Five years later, on April 8, 1908, the Philippine Assembly passed a bill recognizing May 1 as Labor Day. It was declared a national holiday.
The first Labor Day celebration was held on May 1, 1913, when Herminigildo Cruz, the other founder of U.O.D.F., put together the Congreso Obrero de Filipinas. The party demanded fair working conditions for the labor sector, including eight-hour working days, an end to child labor, equal labor standards for women, and employers’ liability to their employees. Labor Day has been synonymous with demonstrations and rallies organized by the labor sector since 1903. To convince the Philippine government to raise the minimum wage, eliminate labor contractualization, and control market fuel prices, more than 40 labor federations joined forces to form the NAGKAISA coalition in 2012.
https://nationaltoday.com/philippines-labor-day/
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