International   

Echoes of rice crisis at May Day rallies

SINGAPORE: Evocative calls for lower food prices, especially those of rice varieties, and resonant demands for higher wages marked May Day rallies across Southeast Asia on Thursday. The crisis of sky-rocketing food prices served as the sombre background for Labour Day rallies in several capitals. And, the authorities tightened security for the rallies, more so in Jakarta and Manila than elsewhere.

In the Philippines, some activists demanded, too, the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, for long under fire from the opposition camp for her alleged usurpation of power through “a stolen election.”

The Filipino government, a big importer of rice, announced the introduction of identity cards to ensure that only the genuinely poor would have “access” to subsidised rice and other products.

A key demand at the rallies in Jakarta was that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono should desist from raising fuel prices. Indonesia is reviewing its current fuel subsidies; and the globally high oil prices are seen as a key factor behind the current food-price crisis.

Thailand, the world’s largest rice-exporter, is also hit by the price crisis: and this theme was echoed at the May Day rallies in Bangkok.

Myanmar’s ruler Senior General Than Shwe asked for the passage of the draft constitution that would be put to vote in the planned referendum on May 10.

In Singapore, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong emphasised the continuing role of foreign workers in the upkeep of the city-state’s economy.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

World’s longest sea bridge opens in China
Echoes of rice crisis at May Day rallies
Labour on edge over local elections
44 LTTE cadres killed in clashes
Banner proved costly: White House
First world to blame: China
Charge filed against Thaksin
We have results, says Minister
Some keyboards revealed filthy
Global warming lull likely
Drug kingpin shot dead
A fascist past rekindled
‘March of the Living’ in memory of Holocaust victims

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu