The fruit of our labor

        Philippines Labor Day is celebrated annually on May 1 to celebrate hardworking Filipinos across the country. In Filipino, it is known as ‘Araw ng mga Manggagawa’. People in the Philippines relax and spend the day with their family and friends. At Malacanang (the previous American Governor’s residence, now Presidential palace) and in major cities like Manila, labor movements and parades are a part of the celebrations. These activities draw attention to their complaints, which include the minimum wage, inhumane working conditions, and other issues that undermine the rights of employees. Every hardworking Filipino is celebrated on this day, no matter their job. The first Labor Day celebration was held on May 1, 1913, when Herminigildo Cruz, the other founder of U.O.D.F., put together the Congreso Obrero de Filipinas. The party demanded fair working conditions for the labor sector, including eight-hour working days, an end to child labor, equal labor standards for women, and employers’ liability to their employees. 

        Labor Day honors the contributions of workers to society and recognizes their hard work and dedication. This day serves as a reminder of the importance of fair labor practices, social protection, and human rights for all workers. This day is important as it enables workers to take some much-needed rest from their work and to collect their thoughts, spend time with their loved ones, or just recover their energies.This day motivates people to get into work and to work hard. This will help to retain the economy going. It also encourages men and women to follow their chosen careers, to do their best at them. In this way, they contribute to their society. For Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and seamen, this holiday holds special significance as they continue to strive for fairer working conditions abroad. Meanwhile, business owners also recognize labor day as an opportunity to appreciate their workforce’s dedication that drives their company’s success. Furthermore, celebrating Labor Day reminds us that we can continue fighting for policies that promote decent employment opportunities and improve working conditions not only locally but globally too. As businesses expand worldwide, our advocacy must be matched with efforts from governments who are responsible for protecting their citizens’ welfare especially when they work abroad such as OFWs and seamen. 

        We know that the worker receives minimum pay by selling his own labor. That is the reason why International Labour Day is celebrated all over the world. So this day is to promote and encourage international labor associations. Thus, it is a special day to appreciate and recognize their contribution to society as they are certainly well-deserved.

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