Philippines Labor Day 2023: Date, History, Facts about Philippines

Labour Day in the Philippines was first observed on May 1, 1903. The country's first labour organisation, "Union Obrera Democratica de Filipina (U.O.D.F.)," organised more than 100,000 workers to march from Tondo's Plaza Moriones to Malacanang.

Philippines Labour Day is commemorated annually on May 1 to honour the nation’s hardworking citizens. In Filipino, it is known as ‘Araw ng mga Manggagawa’. Individuals in the Philippines unwind and spend the day with their families. Labour movements and parades are part of the festivities at Malacanang (the former American governor’s residence, now the Presidential palace) and in major cities such as Manila. These actions bring attention to their grievances, which include the minimum wage, inhumane working conditions, and other issues that undermine employee rights. On this day, every industrious Filipino is honoured, regardless of their occupation.

The background of Philippines Labor Day

Labour Day in the Philippines was first observed on May 1, 1903. The country’s first labour organisation, “Union Obrera Democratica de Filipina (U.O.D.F.),” organised more than 100,000 workers to march from Tondo’s Plaza Moriones to Malacanang. These protesting employees demanded equitable wages and improved working conditions from the then-American-led government. The event is regarded as one of the first public protests in Manila.

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Isabelo Delos Reyes” and “Herminigildo Cruz” founded the U.O.D.F. in February 1902 to defend the liberties of the working class during the American occupation. In August 1902, a government commanded by the United States arrested Delos Reyes on charges of rebellion, sedition, and “conspiracy to raise the price of labour.” After his imprisonment, “Dominador Gomez” became his successor. Under Dominador Gomez’s rule, the U.O.D.F lead the march alongside one hundred thousand workers, where he was arrested for the same reason as Delos Reyes. On April 8, 1908, five years later, the Philippine Assembly recognised May 1 as Labour Day. It has been designated a national holiday.

On May 1, 1913, Herminigildo Cruz, the other founder of U.O.D.F., organised the Congreso Obrero de Filipinas, the first Labour Day celebration. The party pushed for eight-hour workdays, an end to child labour, equal labour standards for women, and employer liability. Since 1903, Labour Day has been synonymous with rallies and demonstrations organised by the labour sector. In 2012, over 40 labour federations joined forces to establish the NAGKAISA coalition in an effort to persuade the Philippine government to increase the minimum wage, eliminate labour contractualization, and control market fuel prices.

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There are 5 interesting facts about the Philippines.

It is one of the nations with the greatest number of languages, with at least 171 in use today.

At least 52 million Filipinos are native English speakers, making the country the fifth largest English-speaking nation in the globe.

The world’s longest underground river is located beneath the St. Paul’s Mountain Range on the island of Palawan, in the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park.

The Philippine island of Camiguin is the only place on earth where there are more volcanoes than cities.

Filipinos converted tens of thousands of Jeeps abandoned by American soldiers after World War II into public utility vehicles that can accommodate up to twenty passengers.