Thousands join labour day protest rallies in Philippines

May 1, 2011, 2:37 GMT

Manila - Thousands of workers and activists protested Sunday in Manila and other main cities against the government's failure to promote the welfare of working people.

Traffic jammed streets in the capital as demonstrators joined a May Day march to press demands for higher wages and more benefits from President Benigno Aquino III.

'Despite its posturings of being sensitive to the plight of the poor, the Aquino administration has pleaded helplessness in the wake of rising prices, escalating hunger and worsening poverty,' the New Patriotic Alliance said.

'Workers are given more of the same policies from the previous administration of former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.'

Aquino met moderate labour groups over breakfast at Malacanang presidential palace and said the government was trying to help the poor amid rising prices of basic commodities, including offering rice subsidy to farmers and fishermen.