Documentary Report: Important significance of two international day celebrations in the first week of May

 

PM rallyists in Iligan City calling the government for the Php 100 wage hike to cover inflation.

 

MY POINT OF VIEW 

BY JUN ENRIQUEZ, Digital-Mobile Journalist 

My interest of writing this article is about the two international celebrations in first week of May, to mention the International Labor day on first day and World Press Freedom day on 3^rd day. 

It seems that International days and weeks are occasions to educate the public on issues and concerns, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to reinforce achievements of humanity. The existence of international days predates the establishment of the United Nations (UN), but the UN has embraced them as a powerful advocacy tool. 

the First celebration, on May 1, 2023, it was the 137th International Labor day celebrations. Historically, Labor Day initially originated in the United States in remembering the 1886 countrywide strike for an eight-hour work day, which started on that day and culminated in the Haymarket affair in Chicago. In 1889 an international federation of socialist groups and trade unions designated May 1 as a day in support of workers, in commemoration of the Haymarket riot in Chicago in 1886. The Haymarket affair remembering the tragic event where labor protests turned-out into violence after a bomb was thrown at the police, killing seven officials and 4 others. Significance of the celebration is that people worldwide observe the day by conducting marches and rallies, to recognize the movement but also to appreciate the labor force and try to improve its working conditions

FDLO workers rallyist

The theme of the International Labor Organization (ILO) for 2023 celebrations was “Stop the pandemic: Safety and health at work can save lives.”

In Iligan City, the active and retired workers in Iligan City enjoined to commemorate the celebration spearheaded by the Federation of democratic labor organization (FDLO). The Partido Manggagawa (PM), a labor political party for the workers have participated the event not only in Iligan city but also the entirety of the country. 

Mayor Frederick Siao

Iligan City Mayor Frederick Siao was invited as the keynote speaker during the celebration. Siao said that the local government of Iligan city will help to strengthen the protection of the workers to pass a local legislation to be participated by the tripartite council, the labor, management and the government. The statement of Mayor Siao was supported by Iligan City councilor Atty. Providencio “Bong” Abragan, Jr..

Atty. Providencio Abragan, Jr.

The local theme for the celebration emphasized, "Mamumuo naghiusa palig-onon ang han-ay ug hiniusang mobarug aron malingkawas gikan sa nagka-grabing krisis." (Workers in unity will strengthen its ranks and stand to free from severe crisis). Atty. Leonilo Ratilla, National Executive Vice President of FDLO, said that the FDLO was a federation of organized labor fighting for the protection and security of tenure for the workers through the right to collective bargaining agreement (CBA) by legitimate unions in the industries who are members of the federation, advancing the right to-self organization as mandated under the Philippine constitution and labor code.

On the other hand, the retired workers are calling for the increase of their SSS pensions, to compensate the lost peso purchasing power during inflation. The SSS pensioners are hoping that their demands will be heard by the government because most of the retired workers are suffering from illnesses, and their pensions will be used intended mostly for medicine maintenance and hospitalization.  

For the national theme says, "Sahod, Trabaho, Karapatan" (Wages, Works and Rights) was the theme for nationwide protest calling for the Php 100 minimum wage hike to recover the lost purchasing power of workers, spearheaded by the Partido Manggagawa (PM) nationwide. 

PM Chairman Rene Magtubo

“We endured the heat of marching under the sun because the burning issue of low wages and high prices is a priority concern. Chi-cha not cha-cha,” declared Rene Magtubo, national chair of the militant group PM and a city councilor in Marikina, in reference to an urgent response to the economic crisis instead of politicians tinkering with charter change. 

Jane Bernardo, PM Mindanao

Jane Bernardo of PM Mindanao, reiterated the theme during the rally in Iligan City, said is to increase the wages at Php 100 wage hike and lower the prices of the commodities, to compensate inflation and recover from crisis, and respect the rights of the workers.

 For the International theme says, "A safe and healthy working environment as a fundamental principle and right at work," emphasizes the importance of workplace safety and health as essential principles and rights for workers.

The second international celebration, was about the World Press freedom day. It has been 30 years ago that World Press freedom day was commemorated globally since it was proclaimed  in May 3, 1993, aimed towards achieving a free press and freedom of expression. The rise of digital technologies proliferate the independent media in many countries around the world to enable the free flow of information, countering disinformation and misinformation online and offline proliferate with serious impact on the institutions underpinning supports for democracy, the rule of law and human rights.

Global crises situation of conflicts and violence is evident at present times, persistent on socio-economic inequalities driving migration, environmental crises and challenges to the health and well-being of the people around the world.

It is exactly to counter these critical situations and threats, that press freedom, safety of journalists and access to information take center stage. The right to freedom of expression, enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, is a prerequisite and a driver to the enjoyment of all other human rights. This year’s Special 30^th Anniversary celebration of the World Press freedom day is, therefore, a call to recentering press freedom, as well as independent, pluralistic and diverse media, as key to enjoy all other human rights.

The World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in December 1993, following the recommendation of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) General Conference. Since then, 3^rd of May, the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek, 1991, is promoting the independence of the press and pluralism in media is celebrated worldwide, then it became as World Press Freedom Day.

The World press freedom day celebration, acts as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom. It is also a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics. It is an opportunity to, celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom; assess the state of press freedom throughout the world; defend the media from attacks on their independence; and pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

As the United Nations agency with a specific mandate to promote “the free flow of ideas by word and image”, UNESCO works to foster free, independent and pluralistic media in print, broadcast and online. Media development in this mode enhances freedom of expression, and it contributes to peace, sustainability, poverty eradication and respect human rights. 

In my point of view, this two international celebrations will educate us and the governments globally for the protection of our rights as workers and journalists in a safe and secured environment.

(The writer, Jun Enriquez, is the President of Manggagawang Media ng Mindanao-MMM, and a Peace advocate; source: UN, ILO websites, etc.)