Thousands join Labour Day rallies in Philippines

May 1, 2009, 5:48 GMT

   Manila - Thousands of people joined May Day rallies throughout the Philippines Friday amid the global economic slowdown that has displaced millions of workers around the world.

   More than 7,000 troops were deployed in Manila, where protestors converged in different areas despite forecasts predicting rainy weather.

   The protestors denounced the failure of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to protect the rights of workers and unabated corruption in her government.

   'Workers want a reversal in the policies that have aggravated the crisis and change in the rotten system that keeps the people in poverty,' said Renato Magtubo, one of the protest leaders.

   National police Director General Jesus Verzosa said he instructed policemen to exercise maximum tolerance in dealing with demonstrators.

   Police spokesman Chief Superintendent Nicanor Bartolome said the rallies were peaceful and no untoward incidents were reported.

   The Philippines' unemployment rose to 7.7 per cent in January as tens of thousands of Filipinos lost their jobs or failed to find work amid the global crisis.

   The National Statistics Office said the actual number of jobless people increased to 2.85 million in January from 2.67 million a year ago.

   Economists have warned that the unemployment situation in the country would worsen as the economic storm continues to batter countries around the world.