This year's May Day rally, to be moved to Penang for the first time, will zero in on reforms to workplace practices in a bid to raise standards of democracy.

At least 1,000 workers from across the country are expected to meet at the Kota Lama field on Saturday, in a shift from the traditional annual gathering held at Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur since 1994.

The event is being organised by a coalition comprising non-governmental organisations, labour groups and opposition parties, said spokesperson Choo Chon Kai.

He said a 16-point declaration, endorsed by more than 30 groups to date, will be read out during the gathering from 10am, which will also feature speeches, a sketch and songs.

The declaration covers demands in four broad areas - abolish employment laws and practices that discriminate on the basis of gender and age; introduce a minimum wage and union rights for workers; provide fair treatment to foreign workers; and conduct local government elections.

"We elected the government through a democratic process. Hence, workers have a right to demand genuine democracy...they are entitled to it," Choo said.

"Yet there is still much unfairness against workers. They still do not have a legal guarantee of a minimum wage, and there are obstacles against formation of unions."

Transparent government

Choo said workers would also reiterate calls for abolition of draconian laws like the Internal Security Act and demand a clean and transparent government.

The organisers, who have informed the police about the rally, expressed hope that the authorities would co-operate in the matter.

Last year, the May Day gathering at Dataran Merdeka went without a hitch after the police granted a permit for the event.

About 1,000 people turned up for the rally, and were commended by the police for their discipline.

In 2002, 20 people had been arrested at the May Day rally for "illegal assembly" when the police moved in to disperse the crowd. Checkpoints had also been placed along several toll stations, to prevent workers from gathering.