About 2,000 workers, students and activists marched on Friday from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) to Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila to press for higher wages and jobs at home to prevent Filipinos from heading into outright danger overseas, according to INQUIRER.net.

The Labour Day protests coalesced around the theme of job opportunities in the country because of the case of Mary Jane Veloso, the 30-year-old Filipina who narrowly escaped execution in Indonesia this week for drug crimes.

The ralliers, carrying “Oust Aquino” and “Save Mary Jane” banners, placards and tarpaulins, spent more than an hour calling for the resignation of the absent President Benigno Aquino III, who was observing Labour Day in Cebu this year, and justice for Veloso.

Renato Reyes, the secretary general of the militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, said the case of Veloso highlighted a “very severe jobs crisis” that forces poor Filipinos to go abroad.

“Filipinos are forced to work abroad because of the lack of opportunities in the country and the high prices of commodities brought about by privatization and deregulation policies,” said Roger Soluta, secretary general of Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU).

“People want Aquino out of power because of the dangers he has caused,” he said. Yesterday’s protests were led by militant groups KMU, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas and All Workers Unity (AWU).

Velosos case used in Manila labour protest rallies - Thai PBS English News