Church people and workers held a series of activities from January 31 to February 2 to uphold labor rights. The events gathered hundreds of workers to strengthen their unity in defending their rights and fighting the Marcos regime’s rampant and criminal corruption.
More than 300 labor leaders and representatives of various unions attended a labor consultation assembly on January 31 in Quezon City organized by Caritas Philippines, a group under the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). Caritas is currently headed by San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza, who also chairs Church People-Workers Solidarity (CWS).
Unions, federations, regional chapters, and mass organizations of Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) participated in the events. “Advance toward stronger unity of workers against corruption and for genuine change!” KMU declared.
CWS organized a separate gathering on February 1 with KMU again joining. Workers and church people reaffirmed the need for close cooperation and solidarity to ensure that Filipino workers achieve a dignified and fulfilling life.
The Iglesia Filipina Independiente held an event in Manila on February 2 to mark the 124th Union Obrera Democratica (UOD) anniversary. The union was founded in 1902 at Cine Variadades, Sampaloc, Manila, led by Isabelo “Don Belong” de los Reyes, with 140 delegates from various unions headed by the Union de Litografos de Impresores de Filipinas.
From its founding, UOD led major mass actions in the Philippines, including the protest of 70,000 people on July 4, 1902, demanding independence from the US; the general strike in August 1902 after the US denied workers’ demands for wage increases; and the 100,000-strong first celebration of Labor Day in 1903, carrying the call: “Death to Imperialism!”
