As far as we are concerned, Labor Day is a legitimate venue for the workers to exercise their constitutional right to freedom of assembly.

The proliferation of part-time jobs and higher unemployment undermine the power of workers to bargain for higher wages and demand for security of tenure. Contractual workers are not allowed to join the union. So, Mrs. Arroyo?s appeal to employers to reach a middle ground with workers in granting a wage hike is a hoax.

The President provided long-overdue benefits for the workers but these are just make-over, ?band-aid? solutions to allay workers? discontent about this administration?s performance to address the worsening jobs crisis.