As the International Workers’ Day approaches, workers held protests on April 25 in Metro Manila and Panay to press the state for a living wage and public services. They urged their fellow workers to participate in the mobilization on May 1.

Led by Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), along with members of various progressive groups, they gathered before the National Housing Authority for a Black Friday Protest. They also called for the lowering of prices of public services, goods, and the enactment of the ₱1200 National Living Wage.

In Panay, different sectors gathered on the same day as part of the national protest for a living wage, led by Bagong Alyasang Makabayan-Panay and KMU-Panay. The protesters also raised the call for the scrapping of the bogus transport modernization.

“A wage increase is correct and just amid continuous inflation,” according to KMU. It lashed back at the Marcos regime for turning a deaf ear to the workers’ demands.

In the past days, KMU has been preparing intensively for Labor Day.

On April 25, together with 30 other labor organizations, it launched the “Labor Agenda” for candidates in the 2025 elections. This agenda includes the workers’ demands for wage reforms, price controls, ending contractualization, and strengthening the right to unionize.

On April 23, KMU members conducted widespread postering from Aurora Boulevard to Magsaysay Boulevard in Metro Manila.

“At every station, workers who saw our call warmly supported us!,” shared those who conducted the postering. “Many agreed that this should be the standard for workers’ daily minimum wage.”