People march in Manila, the Philippines, on May 1 to request the government to address labour issues (Photo: AFP/VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Thousands of workers and activists inthe Philippines marched on May 1 to request the government to address labourissues.
Police estimated up to 10,000 workers andactivists took part in the rally near the Office of the Philippine President –Malacanang Palace to demonstrate against what they said was President RodrigoDuterte's failure to keep a campaign promise to get rid of short-termemployment contracts.
The demonstrators also called on the governmentto solve other problems like low wage, unemployment and trade union benefits.
About 8,000 police and soldiers were deployed toensure security. There were no reports of violence.
The president’s spokesman Harry Roque said Dutertewas holding meetings with labour groups to address the issues and he may stillsign an order to end short-term labour contracts.
A pledge to act against employers who hireworkers short-term and without adequate benefits, helped Duterte, a former citymayor, win the presidency in May 2016.
Shortly after assuming power, President Dutertewarned that any company that failed to stop hiring short-term labour riskedclosure.
However, trade unions said the practice haspersisted, particularly in shopping malls and the fast-food industry, wherefirms keep issuing staff with contracts short enough to avoid having to providethem proper benefits.-VNA
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People march in Manila, the Philippines, on May 1 to request the government to address labour issues (Photo: AFP/VNA) 
