Rallyists Get Snubbed, DOLE-7 director says issues are still the same

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in the region is already tired of hearing the complaints aired by labor groups every May 1.

DOLE-7 Director Elias Cayanong yesterday said that they would not anymore entertain those who rally on Labor Day as these people are never satisfied no matter what government does for them.

Cayanong said that these are always the same groups and the issues that they raise haven’t changed. 

Several labor organizations rallied in front of the DOLE-7 office yesterday to air their gripes.

Several other groups joined the bigger rally held in the junction of Colon St. and Osmeña Blvd., which is a tradition of the organizations during the celebration of Labor Day.

The group said that they gathered about 50 labor organizations for the activity.

Among those that joined the celebration were militant groups Kilusang Mayo Uno, Bayan, Panag-hugpong Kadamay, Kilusang Mag-uuma ng Pilipinas, Association of Concerned Teachers, NADSU, Pamana Sugbo, Sulpicio Workers Union and Pambato, Lapu-Lapu Workers and Anak Bayan.

They were joined by Partido ng Manggagawa, Alliance of Progressive Labor, Solidarity of Cebu Workers, Cebu Labor Coalition and retrenched workers from different companies.

As expected, the groups also condemned the proposal to amend the Constitution. — AJ A. de la Torre, Jessica Ann Pareja, Anna Coritha Desamparado, Johanna T. Natavio /NLQ (THE FREEMAN)