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SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Workers, activists and others in Asian capitals celebrated Labor Day with rallies and rallies to demand better working conditions and more workers' rights.
Labor Day, which falls on May 1, is celebrated in many countries as a day to celebrate workers' rights. Labor Day events also gave many an opportunity to express general economic grievances or political demands.
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In Seoul, the capital of South Korea, thousands of demonstrators sang, waved flags and chanted pro-labor slogans at the start of their march on Wednesday. Organizers said their gathering aims primarily to escalate their criticism of what they describe as the anti-labor policies pursued by the conservative government led by President Yeon Suk-yeol.
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“In the past two years under the government of Yoon Suk-yul, the lives of our workers have sunk into despair,” Yang Kyung-soo, leader of the Korean Federation of Trade Unions, which organized the march, said in a speech. “We cannot overlook Yoon Suk-yeol’s government. We will remove them from power ourselves.”
South Korean Federation of Trade Union officials said they plan to hold similar May Day rallies in more than 10 locations across South Korea on Wednesday.
Members of the Korea Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) denounced Yoon's December veto of a bill aimed at limiting the rights of companies to seek compensation for damages caused by trade union strikes. They also accuse Yoon's government of handling the 2022 truck drivers' strikes in an overly aggressive manner and insulting construction sector workers who authorities believe are involved in alleged illegal activities.
Since taking office in 2022, Yoon has pushed for labor reforms to support economic growth and job creation. His government pledged to crack down on illegal strikes and demand more transparent accounting records from trade unions.
“The Republic of Korea’s remarkable growth has been thanks to the sweat and efforts of our workers. I thank our 28.4 million workers,” Yoon said in a Labor Day message posted on Facebook. “My government and I will protect the precious value of labor.”
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Police said they would mobilize thousands of officers to maintain order. The police said in a statement that they would strictly deal with any illegal activities such as street occupations.
In the Philippine capital, Manila, hundreds of workers and left-wing activists marched and marched in the scorching summer heat to demand higher wages and job security amid rising food and oil prices.
Riot police prevented protesting workers from approaching the presidential palace. Protesters gathered in the street, waving red flags and carrying signs reading: “We work to live, not to die” and “Lower prices, increase salaries,” as they chanted and delivered speeches about the difficulties faced by Filipino workers.
Poor drivers joined the protest and called for an end to a government modernization program that they fear will eventually remove dilapidated jeepneys, the main mode of public transport, from Manila's streets.
Similar marches are expected to be held on Labor Day in other Asian and European cities.
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Associated Press journalist VJ Basilio Sebe Manila contributed to this report.
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