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29 April 2003

A hundred years ago on the first of May, 100,000 men and women laborers, peasants and fisherfolks marched to Malacañang. Led by the Union Obrera Democratico de Filipinas, this significant event led to the appropriation of May 1 for the commemoration and celebration of the struggle of the working class. In that historic march, they were articulating the aspiration of the masses for freedom. Freedom, as envisioned by the men and women who took part in the movement, was inspired by Andres Bonifacio’s articulation of this aspiration. Freedom was conceived in two realms—freedom from the clutches of colonial rule, and freedom of the masses from the clutches of economic strife and poverty brought about by the concentration of wealth in the coffers of the ruling class. The movement was founded on the vision of the working class for freedom and the recognition of their civil and political rights.

A hundred years later, as we march to Malacañang, our demands remain the same - freedom and the recognition of our rights. The labor movement claims victory in the assertion and institutionalization of minimum labor standards and civil liberties. However, a number of conditions that emasculate the rights and welfare of the working class still prevail. But more importantly, the victories that we have conscientiously struggled for are now being diluted and, worse, undermined by the posturing of the state and the economic elite. It is not an exaggeration to say that our freedom and rights are now being threatened.

Basic rights that guarantee our civil and political liberties are now being laid as sacrificial offerings at the altar of pseudo-economic development. The Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce is proposing a ten-year moratorium on labor strikes. To seduce the state, they promised to generate three million jobs in the next three years. This in effect reflects the seemingly unchanging and condescending attitude of the economic elite towards the working class that resulted in a century of constant struggle. Their proposal will erode and nullify the victory of the labor movement for the right of workers to organize and assemble. If the state gives in, it will usher in a decade of oppression and exploitation of the working class. This is most ironic because it is incumbent upon the state to safeguard and guarantee the rights and welfare of the majority, and incidentally the most vulnerable sector of society that we are a part of.

The state in its actions contradicts its propaganda of concern for the working class.  The GMA administration’s unconditional support for the US war on Iraq is now being hailed as an employment-generating undertaking for Filipinos.  The government has appealed to the US to employ Filipino workers in the reconstruction of the devastated country.  Instead of creating opportunities for employment, it is exposing Filipino workers to greater possibility of racism—a perennial problem among our OFW’s—and harassment from camps that see the Philippines as a minor accomplice in the destruction of Iraq.  Also because of this, the Arroyo government is condoning the inequality between Filipino workers and their Western counterparts. For sure, the Americans and the British will receive greater compensation than the Filipinos who are expected to receive meager wages in Iraq. But these problems are also being experienced by OFWs around the globe.  The state, therefore, must be able to guarantee protection for our OFWs where ever they are.

GMA administration's invitation to the US troops to enter Sulu and Cotabato via Balikatan 03-1, instead of fostering an atmosphere of economic growth that is a prerequisite in the generation of employment opportunities, will lead to further conflict in the region and will victimize more innocent women and children.  This will aggravate the already appalling economic situation in Mindanao, undermining years of women’s work to rehabilitate and heal the trauma of the Bangsa Moro people.  With the invitation of GMA to the US in exchange of dollars and a possible presidential sponsorship, the country is regressing in the area of national independence and self-governance—betraying the revolution of the masses more than a hundred years ago.

Its economic policy of compliance to the WTO, WB and ADB leaves the working class neck-deep in poverty.   Its obsession with liberalization has taken its toll on our daily lives.  Due to the impact of the AoA, vegetable farmers and their families in Benguet and in other parts of the country are now dying of hunger because they cannot compete in a market flooded with imported agricultural products. Our already meager earnings are being expended for the high cost of public utilities.  This is coupled with the lack of social services that we now need to purchase from private providers.  The exorbitant cost of food, electricity, water, fuel and social services leaves us very vulnerable.  This is made worse by job insecurity and non-valuing of work in homes. Thus, more are exploited in the informal sector, especially the women and even the children.

And now, with the onslaught of the “Terror Bills” the civil and political rights not only of the working class and the masses but the society in general, are being undermined by the state.  Liberties that we have won through our collective struggle are being subjected to the whims of the manic state.   Our legitimate struggle for social reform and equity could be under-cut by this bill which the state shamelessly rams through the legislature.

In the past century, the struggle of the working class has been an unwavering one.  A hundred years ago, the battle cry was freedom.  A hundred years later, freedom is still the clamor of the men and women laborers, peasants, fisherfolk, the urban poor, gays and lesbians and OFWs.   So many administrations have come and gone, and yet, the working class remains marginalized.  Our rights and welfare are at a constant threat by a system that perpetuates inequality among classes. Constantly, our hard-earned victories are being undermined.    

In the light of the systemic problems and conditions plaguing the working class, WE, in the Task Force May 1 shall continue to defend and advance our rights and our freedom. As we commemorate a century of May 1 demonstrations, WE demand the following:

Fisherfolk:  Enact a law for the delineation of municipal waters for the welfare of small fisherfolk (DAO 17)! Protect small fisherfolks from the excesses of local and foreign commercial fishers!

Gays and Lesbians: End discrimination against gays and lesbians in the workplace! Pass the Anti-Discrimination Bill!

Human Rights Groups:  Respect the dignity and rights of every Filipi

Laborers: Provide solid guarantee for workers’ and trade union rights! Reject the ten-year moratorium on labor strikes!

OFWs: Stop the deregulation of the overseas labor industry! Reassert government’s primordial role in the protection and promotion of the rights and welfare of OFWs and their families!

Peasants:  Guarantee security of land ownership, safe and sufficient supply of food and security of income and protection from both foreign and local capitalist control over the agricultural sector!

Public Sector: Stop the massive re-organization of workers in the public sector, junk the “Omnibus Rules on the Prohibition of Concerted Mass Actions!”

Urban Poor: Stop demolitions! Provide humane housing conditions for the urban poor!

Women: Protect workers in the informal sector! Hold the US and GMA accountable for the impacts of war in Mindanao!

TASK FORCE MAY 1

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Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL) 2003
Manila, Philippines
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