Hundreds of workers from unions, federations, and mass organizations from different parts of the country under the militant labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) marched in Baguio City on June 30. That day marked the last day of their four-day 13th National Congress, which began on June 27, where more than 300 delegates attended.
Workers held the Marcos regime accountable for its subservience to US imperialism, fascist attacks on workers and the people, the suffering it inflicted on the masses, and useless policies and programs. The action coincided with the third year of Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s official assumption of power.
KMU’s communique considered the congress as a “breakthrough for the militant labor center of Filipino workers” following six years marked by successive fascist attacks, further erosion of rights brought about by neoliberal policies, and various internal and external challenges. The KMU Congress last convened in 2018, during the Duterte regime.
KMU elected new officials for the coming years. Former KMU secretary general and Makabayan senatorial candidate Jerome Adonis will serve as the labor center’s national chairperson. Veteran labor leader in Central Luzon and former political detainee Florentino Viuya was elected as vice chairperson, and Nexperia Workers Union president and LGBTQ+ community member Mary Ann Castillo was elected secretary general. Former KMU chairperson Elmer Labog will serve as Chairperson Emeritus.
The Congress also drafted KMU’s 3-Year Action Program, which outlines tasks for bold efforts in raising awareness, organizing, and mobilizing workers and the people. The program’s main content includes exposing and isolating the US-Marcos Jr regime. The primary task is to strengthen the struggle for immediate economic relief. At the same time, the program aims to tighten the bonds between the working class and other oppressed classes and sectors, and to lead the fight for national democratic change.
According to the communique, the Congress passed resolutions on expanding the wage campaign to further unite farm workers and various sectors under alliances for wage increases, addressing issues of job security and the welfare of young workers, and those affected by automation and digitalization, promoting human rights, freeing political prisoners, and exposing fake formations established by the fascist state against genuine labor unions.
They also expressed support for the filing of House Bill 202: ₱1200 Living Wage Bill by ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. Antonio Tinio and Kabataan Partylist Rep. Renee Co of the Makabayan Bloc on that day.
Ka Julieta de Lima of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines delivered the keynote speech at the Congress. Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas chairperson Danilo Ramos,International Trade Union Confederation secretary general Luc Triangle, and the International League of Peoples’ Struggles sent solidarity messages to the gathering.
