Crowd gathers as May Day rally kicks off

KUALA LUMPUR: Hundreds gathered for the May Day rally at Maju Junction here to fight for the cause of workers nationwide.

The primary agenda of the day was to push for a minimum wage increase from the existing RM900 to RM1,500.

There were also calls to reduce the cost of living, the abolishment of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the freedom of the press.

A factory workers' association also called for the Federal Government to introduce a fund similar to the Employers Provident Fund (EPF) to aid workers who lost their jobs until they find new employment.

A small group participating in the rally also called for gender equality.

The group of four from a non-profit organisation called Diversity said they wanted to see all laws and policies that promote gender discrimination abolished.

One of its members, Yee Shan, 32 said that it was important for the people who share similar beliefs to take this opportunity and voice out their grouses.

The gathering, which started moving at around 11am, was closely monitored by the police while marshals from Suara Rakyaat Malaysia (Suaram) helped to control the crowd.

Medical teams were placed every few hundred metres along the planned route. Bar Council observers were also seen.

The gathering, which is proceeding without incident, is expected to end at noon.