MANILA, Philippines — Thousands joined Labor Day protests near Malacañang to protest the failure of President Rodrigo Duterte to fulfill a major campaign promise to end "endo."
"Endo," from "end of contract," is the widespread practice of employment short of the six months required for regularization that would entitle a worker to benefits.
The same day, President Rodrigo Duterte signed a much-awaited executive order prohibiting "illegal contractualization."
Various labor groups, however, slammed the EO, calling it a "complete farce" as it did not address the scrapping of contractualization "by virtue of direct hiring."
A copy of the EO has yet to be released.
The protesters also demanded that the government address issues including low wages, unemployment and trade union repression.
Higher wages along with controlling the prices of goods have been a consistent top national concern for Filipinos.
Some 5,000 people from various groups were present in the protest in Manila.
FROM INTERAKSYON: The origins of Labor Day and what it means to Filipino workers today
An effigy portraying Duterte as a demonic overlord was also created and burned.
Here are some photos from the May Day rally:
Protesters, mostly workers, display their messages on their umbrellas as they march towards the Presidential Palace during the global commemoration of Labor Day Tuesday, May 1, 2018 in Manila, Philippines. About 5,000 workers and activists from various groups held a rally Tuesday near the Malacanang Palace to protest the failure of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to fulfill a major campaign promise to end contractualization, the widespread practice of short-term employment.
AP Photo/Bullit Marquez
Protesters, mostly workers march towards the Presidential Palace during the global commemoration of Labor Day Tuesday, May 1, 2018 in Manila, Philippines. About 5,000 workers and activists from various groups held a rally Tuesday near the Malacanang Palace to protest the failure of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to fulfill a major campaign promise to end contractualization, the widespread practice of short-term employment.
AP Photo/Bullit Marquez
Slogans and banners prepared by protesters for the May Day rally in Mendiola, Manila near the Presidential Palace.
Philstar.com/Efigenio Toledo IV
Protesters with a placard opposing the TRAIN tax law.
Philstar.com/Efigenio Toledo IV
Church workers joining the May Day rally. Authorities estimate that around 5,000 people participated in the protest in Manila, the Philippine capital.
Philstar.com/Efigenio Toledo IV
Some leaders of organizations that staged the May Day protest marching.
Philstar.com/Efigenio Toledo IV
A laborer participating in the May Day protest amid a heavy downpour on Tuesday, May 1, afternoon.
Philstar.com/Efigenio Toledo IV
An effigy portraying President Rodrigo Duterte as a demonic overlord was created by protesters.
Philstar.com/Efigenio Toledo IV
Activists burn a giant effigy of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte as they march towards the presidential Malacañang Palace during a May Day rally in Manila on May 1, 2018.
Noel Celis/AFP
Protesters burned an effigy portraying the president. Burning of effigies are a traditional part of protests in the Philippines.
Philstar.com/Efigenio Toledo IV
Protesters perform a flag dance around the burning effigy portraying President Rodrigo Duterte as a demonic overlord.
Philstar.com/Efigenio Toledo IV
— Mikas Matsuzawa with AP
