Kilusang Mayo Uno
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| May First Labour Movement Centre | |
| Kilusang Mayo Uno | |
| Founded | May 1, 1980 |
|---|---|
| Country | The Philippines |
| Key people | Elmer Labog, chairman |
| Office location | Quezon, the Philippines |
| Website | www.kilusangmayouno.org |
The Kilusang Mayo Uno, or May First Labour Movement (KMU) is a national trade union center in the Philippines. It is an alliance with hundreds of progressive labour organizations under its umbrella.
It was created on May 1, 1980 during the Marcos dictatorship to represent the progressive worker's organizations in the Philippines advocating for the National Democratic struggle - in particular the removal of what was seen as "US Imperialism". The organization also advances the need for National Industrialization where the economy develops agricultural production to serve as the base for light and heavy industries.
KMU leader Rolando Olalia was found murdered in November 1986, and party leaders attributed his killing to forces within the military.
Crispin Beltran, a former president of the KMU is a Congressman for the Bayan Muna party.
[edit] Campaigns
KMU also advocates for an across the board wage increase of 125 pesos. This campaign has been launched in 1999 and in December 2006, the House of Representatives approved House Bill 435 seeking a P125 legislated wage hike.
Recently, KMU has been leading the Free Ka Bel campaign to release congressman Crispin Beltran from Philippine police authorities.
KMU is also leading a campaign against extra-judicial killings. Since 2001, more than 70 unionist and labor activists have been killed by death squads. The union president of Nestle Philippines, Diosdado Fortuna was among the union leaders killed. They have also launched an international campaign against political killings and have filed a complaint to the International Labour Organization versus the government of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
They have also an ongoing campaign to boycott Nestle whom they accuse of labor rights violations in Laguna province on Luzon island in the Philippines.
Previous campaigns include a Transportation strike in a protest against rising oil prices in 2004.
[edit] References
- (2005) in ICTUR et al,: Trade Unions of the World, 6th, London, UK: John Harper Publishing. ISBN 0-9543811-5-7.
[edit] External links
- KMU official site.
