MANILA, Philippines, May 1, 2018 (AP) — Workers and activists marked May Day on Tuesday with rallies to demand their government address labour issues. International Workers' Day is a public holiday in many countries, though activities are restricted in some places, sometimes leading to confrontations. A look at some of the events around the world: PHILIPPINES About 5,000 people from various groups rallied near the presidential palace in Manila to protest the failure of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to fulfill a major campaign promise to end contractualisation, the widespread practice of short-term employment. The protesters also demanded that the government address issues including low wages, unemployment and trade union repression. SOUTH KOREA Thousands of labour union members rallied in downtown Seoul for a higher minimum wage and other demands. They chanted slogans urging the government to implement a 10,000 won ($9.34) minimum wage and convert all non-regular employees to regular workers with equal pay and treatment. The rally was organised by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions. The police estimated the crowd at 10,000 people. The union members also demanded that the government scrap the restructuring of the shipbuilding and automobile industries, and reform the huge conglomerates that dominate the South Korean economy. INDONESIA About 10,000 workers from various labour groups rallied near the presidential palace in Jakarta to voice their demands. Most of the workers came from Jakarta and nearby suburbs, but some traveled from West Java and Surabaya. The protesters urged the government to avoid outsourcing, and to raise their wages. They also asked the government to stop foreign labourers from working in Indonesia, saying it decreases employment opportunities for local workers. CAMBODIA About 2,000 garment workers gathered at a park in Cambodia's capital, Phnom Penh, for a rally organised by a garment union coalition. The workers wanted to march to the National Assembly to urge lawmakers to help them address labour-related concerns, but the group was stopped by riot police. Prime Minister Hun Sun spent May Day with some 5,000 garment workers just outside Phnom Penh. He thanked the workers by announcing that each of them will receive 50,000 riel ($12.50).
