Now, after 100 years of continuous struggles, we are faced with Globalization – a more virulent form of capitalism that has been plaguing the world for the past few decades. Now we are confronted by social ills that continue to sink us deeper into extreme poverty. The incessant rise in the cost of prime commodities, water and electric rates, government taxes, and oil products only worsen the lives of the already impoverished Filipinos.

In complete reversal of its promise of economic development, Globalization contributed to more job losses and displacements of agricultural and manufacturing workers. For the first quarter alone of 2002, 500 local firms were forced to close down displacing more than 10,000 workers from their jobs. The social costs are staggering. It would undoubtedly compel more children to engage in hazardous work, bonded labor, sexual trade activities, and other anti-social activities like drug trade.

Some 4,000 of the displaced workers came from the cement industry, which have closed down 4 firms due to the continuous dumping of cement from Taiwan. The government’s Tariff Commission, with its zero tariff imposition, clearly manifested its insensitivity to the plight of the workers and local manufacturers, thus completely void of any sense of nationalism. In fact, the government even surpassed the 33% tariff reduction for 10 years agreed upon by WTO member-states when it lowered down tariff barriers by 52% for agriculture and 49% for manufacture only in 5 years.

In the same breath, promises of improved water and electricity service by having these public utilities privatized did not materialize and even deteriorated when water concessionaires, e.g., Lopez Group of Companies (that also owns the Manila Electric Co.), increased water rates by 211% since it was privatized in 1998 without any substantial development in its delivery of service.

It is quite ironic, that despite these realities, the Arroyo government continues to implement privatization, contractual and sub-contractual employment schemes, oil deregulation, and such other economic approaches fully committed in protecting the interest of the capitalist. These are the result of the docile subservience and hasty implementation of the government on the programs of the WTO, without putting safety nets to lessen its dismal impact on the people.

Under these situations, the workers, fully committed on its role and avowed commitment towards establishing a just and humane society resolutely declare that we march on May 1:

1) To celebrate the centennial anniversary of the founding of the first union federation – Unión Obrera Democrática – and emphasize its role etched in the landmark of our history for its nationalist aspirations and unwavering stand for the workers’ class interest;

2) To protest the constant undermining of workers’ economic well-being and the wholesale attack against the workers and trade union rights under the aegis of capitalist globalization and to press for the strengthening of trade union rights by reforming the labor relations’ framework in the country through a set of legislative measures dubbed as "Labor Centennial Bills";

3) To press for the country’s withdrawal from the WTO;

4) To intensify our struggle to fight the anti-worker and anti-people policies of the Arroyo administration.