Labor Day
May 9, 2023
May 1 of every year is dedicated to honor and recognize the hard work and significant contributions of workers in the economic and social development of the society. Thus, the #NationalLibraryPH salutes all Filipino workers in the different parts of the world in celebration of Labor Day or Araw ng Paggawa.
The first Labor Day commemoration in the Philippines took place on May 1, 1903. The Union Obrera Democratica de Filipinas, the nation’s first labor federation, organized it. In order to demand full independence, thousands of workers marched from Plaza Moriones in Tondo to Malacaang while singing anti-American capitalism and imperialism.
Isabelo delos Reyes and Herminigildo Cruz established the Union Obrero Democratica de Filipinas, formerly known as the Union Obrera Democratica, on February 2, 1902. While the Philippines were under American occupation, it promoted the rights of the working class. Dominador Gomez succeeded Delos Reyes, who was detained in August 1902 on charges of sedition, rebellion, and “conspiracy to the raise the price of labor.” Gomez was in charge of organizing the inaugural Labor Day celebration.
#NLPLaborDay2023