AMWU officials who recently took part in Filipino May Day protests say the union should continue its long association with the country’s movement.

Jagath Bandara from the AMWU NSW branch and South Australian Holden delegate, Leanne Orbanic, visited the Philippines as guests of the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) last month.

Mr Bandara said the visit was an eye-opening experience that highlighted the struggles of working people in the Phillipines.

“Tens of thousands of workers marched on the streets of the capital Manilla.  This year, their May Day rally was especially big because the KMU is fighting the government to increase the minimum wage.

“The way they mobilise people is amazing. People start to assemble mid morning. By 11 o’clock the roads are full of people with flags as they march through the city. They rally through until 7 o’clock at night with a final protest surrounded by a huge military and police presence.”

The visit coincided with the 21st anniversary of the KMU, which means ‘May First Labour Movement’. The KMU is a peak union body representing over 250 000 workers in manufacturing and agriculture and was born during the height of the brutal Marcos regime.

Whilst the days of Marcos’ anti-union regime may have ended, it would seem little has improved for working people. 

“The KMU are seeking to increase the minimum daily wage from 404 peso ($8AUD) for metro workers and 297 ($6AUD) peso for rural workers to 957 ($20AUD) for all workers, which the government has rejected.

“The economy has grown 7.6 percent in the last year, but 30 million people still live below the poverty line.”

Mr Bandara and Ms Orbanic also visited workers at Nestlé in Cabuyao, where a picketline established by sacked workers is now approaching its tenth year. 

“During this time several union presidents have been assassinated by mercenary gangs. Workers have been left unemployed, families have been torn apart,” Mr Bandara said.

“Conditions there are horrendous. But the workers and their families remain determined to achieve justice. It was inspiring to see.”

The visit to the Philippines also included a meeting with the families of deceased workers killed whilst building a 39-story luxury condominium in Makati City in January. When 21 workers were forced into a rope operated lift that could carry a maximum of six workers. The ropes gave way and the lift plunged 21 stories killing 11 workers. 

Ms Orbanic said the meeting was a moving experience.

“It was pretty devastating to meet their families. The sad part about it all was the workers know they are being asked to do unsafe things but being casuals they can’t say no. If they say no they’ll lose their jobs and they’ll be without work.”

The trip enabled participants to share their knowledge and experience with organisers and activists as well as observe trade union activity.

Mr Bandara said the program should continue for years to come.

“It is a very good way of learning about the global struggle for working people. This region is our backyard, it is important we remain connected.”