01/05/2026
Around the 1880โs in the United States, Labor day, as a celebration of recognition for the achievements of American workers, had its start as a local event within individual states. It gained some footing, with New York City as the first state to have celebrated it as a holiday on September 5, 1882. Such movements were triggered by the lack of established regulations in the workplace which became an avenue for employer exploitation. American laborers took the fight to the streets to go against the unjust treatment towards them.
In the Philippines, its beginning was attributed to politician Isabelo de los Reyes, the Father of the Philippine Labor Movement, among other things connected to his name and reputation within Philippine history. With his roots buried in Revolutionary activism, he founded the Union Obrera Democratica de Filipina (UODF). Their actions in mobilizing and encouraging the citizens of the nation to fight for Independence and fairer wages caused some initial resistance from the still American-led government which replicated their exploitation of their nationโs workers to the Filipinos. With their requests for May 1st to be recognized as Labor day by the state, the very day itself soon came.
On May 1, 1903, about 100,000 workers rallied from Plaza Moriones, Tondo to Malacaรฑang. They marched in demand of action against capitalism, unjust actions towards employees and Imperialism. Because of the actions of Isabelo de los Reyes and his successor, Dr. Dominador Gomez, and the Filipino people, by 1908, the Philippine Assembly recognized May 1 as Labor day and a National holiday. Its first official celebration happened five years later, on May 1, 1913.
Today marks the 124th Labor day. The streets continue to fill with people, carrying their voices and heart, as we continue to fight for the rightful working conditions of Filipino workers. These conditions include the wealth tax, a legislated wage hike, and reasonable working hours and compensation. The fight will cycle on for as long as the rights of the people to fair wages and fair treatment are, at least at the minimum, met and recognized leading to a truly fair compromise.
Now, we face the recent and massive decrease in oil supply, the skyrocketing of prices, and at the current rate of wages which sits a bit above the projected cost of living. Life has become difficult to trek when one considers the urban lifestyle has the highest rate throughout the country. Urban cities are where most citizens find themselves working, hoping for better opportunities. And as we find ourselves more and more integrated in the global market and in the shackles of capitalism, the importance in collective action rises. The lack of labor precarity remains a luxury, with short-term and underpaying jobs becoming more prevalent. The more sustainable jobs, in the agricultural sector, for example, have worsening conditions and are not given enough attention. Informal and unsupported employment also remains the norm as smaller and/or family businesses make up around 40% of the employed population. This can also be attributed to the lack of sustainable jobs.
As a student-led organization of Sociology students, we echo the current calls of labor unions to fairer working conditions. Borrowing Marx's 'Alienation', to ignore the needs of our workers is to set them up for estrangement from society. When fair conditions are not met, workers continue to unnecessarily struggle in their everyday lives impacting bonds with family and loved ones. To an extent, workers may also feel hopeless and isolated. This is not the society we want.
Today, we celebrate the achievements of past labor unions, the eight-hour workday, having minimum wage, and a labor code that ensures the protection of the laborersโ rights in the workplace. This Labor Day, let us honor the unions and the movements they triggered that strived for fairness and equality to bridge our support to those who continue the battle. Regardless of the time that has passed and the changes along with it, they still carry the message from back then. And on this day, Let us fight with fire in our hearts, fueled by gratitude, appreciation, pride, and support.
On behalf of the UPB SoGu, written by: Chloe Beatrice Pascual
Edited by: Gab Alfonso Dayon
Pubmat: Dale Caburian
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