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SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Workers, activists and others in Asian capitals celebrated May Day with rallies and marches to demand better working conditions and greater labor rights.
May Day, which falls on May 1st, is observed in many countries as a day to celebrate workers’ rights. The May Day events also gave many an opportunity to voice general economic grievances or political demands.
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In Seoul, the South Korean capital, thousands of protesters chanted, waved flags and shouted workers’ slogans at the start of their rally on Wednesday. Organizers said their rally was primarily intended to reinforce their criticism of what they called anti-worker policies of the conservative government of President Yoon Suk Yeol.
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“In the past two years, our workers’ lives have been plunged into despair under the Yoon Suk Yeol government,” Yang Kyung-soo, chairman of the Korea Federation of Trade Unions, which organized the rally, said in a speech. “We cannot overlook the Yoon Suk Yeol government. We will overthrow them from power ourselves.”
KCTU officials said they are planning similar May Day rallies in more than 10 locations across South Korea on Wednesday.
KCTU union members criticized Yoon’s veto in December of a bill aimed at restricting companies’ rights to compensation for harm caused by union strikes. They also accuse Yoon’s government of handling truck drivers’ strikes in 2022 too aggressively and insulting construction workers who authorities believed were involved in suspected irregular activities.
Since taking office in 2022, Yoon has pushed for labor reforms to support economic growth and job creation. His government has promised to crack down on illegal strikes and demand more transparent accounting records from unions.
“The Republic of Korea’s remarkable growth has been due to the sweat and efforts of our workers. Thank you to our 28.4 million workers,” Yoon said in a message posted on Facebook on May 1. “My government and I will protect the precious value of work.”
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Police said they would mobilize thousands of officers to maintain order. Police said in a statement that they would take strict action against any illegal activities such as occupying roads.
In the Philippine capital Manila, hundreds of workers and left-wing activists marched and staged a rally in the scorching summer heat to demand wage increases and job security amid rising food and oil prices.
Riot police prevented protesting workers from approaching the presidential palace. Demonstrators waved red flags and held placards reading “We work to live, not to die” and “Cut prices, increase salaries.” They gathered on the street where they chanted and gave speeches about the difficulties faced by Filipino workers.
Poor motorists joined the protest, demanding an end to a government modernization program that they fear would ultimately lead to the removal of their dilapidated jeepneys, a key form of public transportation, from Manila streets.
Similar May rallies were also expected in other Asian and European cities.
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Associated Press journalist VJ Basilio Sepe Manila contributed to this report.
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