Thousands protest in Manila on Labor Day over wages, Middle East conflict

Thousands of Filipino activists held a protest in Manila on Friday (May 1) to mark Labour Day, calling for higher wages and an end to the conflict in the Middle East.

Protesters attempted to hold their programmed near the U.S. embassy but were blocked by anti-riot police. They instead gathered farther away, where they burned effigies of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, U.S. President Donald Trump and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos.

Activists are calling for an across-the-board daily wage increase to 1,200 pesos (USD$20) from 695 pesos (USD$11.50), citing rising prices that they say have been worsened by the conflict in the Middle East.

International Workers’ Day, also known as Labour Day, is observed annually on May 1 to honour the working class and highlight the importance of workers worldwide.

Production: Jay Ereno, Peter Blaza/Reuters