Various labor groups gathered on Labor Day at Welcome Rotonda to stage protests, calling for higher wages and stronger job security.
The demonstration formed part of coordinated nationwide actions marking the 124th observance of Labor Day.
Members of Kilusang Mayo Uno, Piston, and the BPO Industry Employees Network were among those who assembled, holding a program as more participants continued to arrive throughout the morning. Organizers expected the crowd to grow larger before noon.
In interviews and speeches, protest leaders reiterated long-standing demands, including the implementation of a living wage, job regularization, and improved benefits. They cited rising living costs and ongoing concerns over contractualization, while also urging the government to strengthen labor protections across industries.
At around 8 am, some protesters began marching toward Mendiola, a traditional venue for major demonstrations.
Meanwhile, the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) said it conducted an early morning accounting of personnel starting 6 am before deploying units to key areas, including Welcome Rotonda, Petron Philcoa, and Aurora Boulevard in Cubao.
“Personnel were deployed to ensure security, visibility, and immediate response,” the QCPD said, noting that it was under full alert status with leaves suspended to maintain maximum readiness while supporting peaceful assemblies.
Traffic slowed along portions of Welcome Rotonda after protesters occupied one lane. Authorities said personnel from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the Quezon City Traffic and Transport Management Department were dispatched to manage the flow of vehicles.
Authorities remained on-site to maintain order and ensure the safety of both motorists and rally participants.
Similar protest actions were also held in other parts of the country, as workers marked Labor Day with unified calls for higher wages, job security, and better working conditions, according to organizers.