Proceedings of the first Independence congress : held in the city of Manila, Philippine islands, February 22-26, 1930 / Published under the direction of Dean maximo M. Kalaw, executive secretary, University of the Philippines.

LABOR SECTION

311

Mr. Lontok then took up next Mr. Balmori's speech
for which he had nothing to say but praise. And
in order that a movement could be started in the
Islands for the dignification of Filipino laborers, he
presented his resolution to request the authorities to
adopt the nine points for the dignification of labor,
as approved by the League of Nations in its labor
session at Washington, D. C., in 1919. A resolution
to this effect was approved as well as a resolution
expressing the sentiment of the labor element for the
wrongs done to Filipino laborers in California which
resulted in the death of Fermin Tobera during the Watsonville riot, and that there be a day of mourning when
Tobera's remains arrive in Manila and that a humiliation day be held in the Luneta on account of the
Watsonville affair. In the discussion of the speech
of Mr. Jose it was suggested that the labor element
should have a representative in any Philippine mission
to the U. S. Congress. Mr. Rodriguez made suggestions on how to improve the laborers' conditions by
giving them adequate wages, improved working conditions, shorter hours of work, vocational, educational
training, and security of employment in order not only
to satisfy the laborers' craving for equality of economic
status but also to improve their efficiency as workers
and to increase their chances for becoming better
citizens of the future Philippine Republic. Representative Varona discussed the purpose of the Labor
Section, the condition of the laboring mass in case of
independence-what they would do, what they would
hope and expect to be-and wound up with a sugges