2 May 2008, Manila -- Numerous protest marches by workers and miltant groups took place all over the country on Thursday, May 1. 

In Manila alone, several groups took to the streets with a unified cry for a Php125 wage increase.  Their leaders argued that such demand by the workers is well-justified considering the skyrocketing prices of many consumer goods.

Protesters also claimed that since President Arroyo assumed office in 2001, the national average of living wage was Php445.53 a day as reported by the National Wages and Productivity Commission, while national average of minimum wage was a mere Php222.42.  Even if the Php125 was granted, protest leaders claimed it would still be short by Php98.11 for a family's living wage.

On the other hand, militant group Migrante International leader Connie Bragas-Regalado, issued a press statement calling for the government to abolish the service charges on overseas foreign workers' (OFW) remittances. 

Regalado cited an International Monetary Fund study that says service charges deducted by banks ranges from US$15 to US$25 and these are on top of other charges through different currency exchange rates and other schemes.  She said the money charged by the banks can buy a typical OFW family half a sack of rice and other basic necessities.

Regalado also demanded the scrapping of the documentary stamp tax which the government collects in every OFW remittance transaction.

Despite the billions of dollars that OFWs infuse into the Philippine economy -- the lifeblood and saviour of the country's ailing economy -- Regalado claimed that the OFWs are being excessively taxed by the government.

Regalado also stressed that it is unfair that while the government and major banks continue to squeeze substantial amounts from our migrant workers, distressed OFWs are often forced to beg for services like repatriation, medical or legal assistance.

Many of the protest groups converged at the Liwasang Bonifacio at Manila's Plaza Lawton;  they then marched to the historic Mendiola Bridge near the Malacanang Palace.

Police officials said the rallies were very peaceful and orderly. They attributed this to dialogues held earlier with rally organizers, as well as to a policy of keeping policemen on the sidewalks instead of confronting rallyists to avoid tension.