(REUTERS) — Workers across Asia were on the streets on Sunday (May 1) observing May Day with rallies calling for higher wages and better working conditions.
In South Korea, tens of thousands carrying banners and chanting slogans gathered in Seoul’s City Hall Square, protesting the government’s labour reform plans.
“Just as workers of previous generations fought for the right to an eight-hour day at the risk of their lives 120 years ago, we are here to share the pain of workers in the Republic of Korea,” said the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) spokesman Kim Jun-young.
In September, the government, management and labour representatives agreed on a trilateral deal allowing companies to layoff negligent or underperforming workers. The deal hasn’t been approved by the National Assembly.
In the Jakarta, protesters with banners blocked public transportation to gather at the Presidential Palace to demand higher wages and job security as more than 1,300 security officials stood guard.
“Now we have competition from the MEA (ASEAN Economy Community) and foreign workers are already entering Indonesia. We cannot do anything. You see that the infrastructure to increase our skills to compete with foreigners here is very limited. While the goverment asks us to increase our skill and to get certification (for skills), the government does not give us full support. There are demands but no support because our national budget is not favourable to society or people,” said protester Arif Minardi.
In the Philippine, workers called for the minimum wage to be increased to 750 pesos (16USD) from the current 481 pesos(10USD).
They burned an effigy of President Benigndo Aquino to condemn his outgoing government’s inaction in resolving labour issues.
“All of the presidential candidates are saying they will do everything to end the plights of the labourers, especially the issue of contracts since this makes it difficult to increase wages and establish workers unions. But in the end, I think the workers need to continue fighting whoever becomes President,” said May One Movement Secretary General Jerome Adonis.
The country goes to the polls on May 9.
