On May Day, workers rally for better labor conditions

On Monday, workers and activists worldwide rallied for greater wages, shorter hours, and better working conditions for May Day.

French unions plan major protests over President Emmanuel Macron’s retirement age increase from 62 to 64. Organizers believe the pension change threatens worker rights and France’s social safety net.

France’s pension plan sparked years of protests, and the May 1 marches are likely to be the greatest ever.

Many countries celebrate workers’ rights on May 1 with rallies, marches, and other events. As COVID-19 restrictions were greatly loosened and activists in many countries demanded that governments improve workers’ lives, this year’s events drew larger crowds.

As in previous years, Turkish police prevented a group of protesters from reaching Istanbul’s main square, Taksim, and detained about a dozen. Journalists filming demonstrators being forced into police trucks were also pushed back or detained.
After unknown gunmen opened fire on May Day revelers at Taksim in 1977, causing a stampede, the square became symbolic for Turkey’s trade unions. Dozens died.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government has banned protests in Taksim, resulting in frequent police-protester skirmishes. Small groups could enter Taksim to lay wreaths at a monument.

Due to political unrest, certain Pakistani cities have banned rallies. Labor and trade unions organized indoor events in Peshawar, Pakistan’s restive northwest, to demand better workers’ rights. Labor leader Saifullah Khan claimed inflation and economic conditions are ruining life. Politicians and workers will march on the Punjab Assembly in Lahore, where political parties are banned from staging rallies ahead of a local May 14 election. The ruling party is holding a lecture and rallies in Karachi.

Tens of thousands of South Koreans joined May Day rallies, the largest since the pandemic began in early 2020. Organizers expected 30,000 participants during Seoul’s two big rallies.

“Everything except wages has gone up. Increase our minimum wages!” a Seoul rally activist shouted. Reduce working hours!

Rallygoers accused President Yoon Suk Yeol’s conservative government of repressing some unions to correct purported irregularities.

At Yoyogi park in Tokyo, thousands of labor union members, opposition lawmakers, and academics demanded wage increases to offset rising costs while recovering from the pandemic.

Union representatives stated government salary increases are behind soaring prices. They opposed Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s intention to double the defense budget and instead spend it on welfare, social security, and improving people’s lives.

Kishida promised to raise salaries during a Saturday park rally in Tokyo that brought thousands of workers, politicians, and union leaders.

Rally-goers in Indonesia requested the government abolish a job creation law that would promote business over people and the environment.

“Job Creation Law must be repealed to improve working conditions,” said protester Sri Ajeng at one gathering. “It only serves employers.”

Before the 2024 presidential election, thousands of Taiwanese workers protested the island’s labor policies.

Labor unions hoisted flags in Taipei. Medical workers in protective gear hoisted posters demanding subsidies and banners condemning President Tsai Ing-wen’s labor policies.

In downtown Beirut, hundreds of Communist Party and trade syndicate members and migrant domestic workers marched. Three-quarters of the population is poor due to a crushing economic crisis and rising inflation.

The Rodong Sinmun newspaper in North Korea released a lengthy editorial pushing employees to support Kim Jong Un, meet production goals, and enhance public livelihoods.

Feminist and gay organisations held a “Take Back the Night” march on the eve of May Day to condemn violence against women and LGBTQ+ persons in Germany. Despite police skirmishes, some thousand people marched peacefully. Monday will see many more German labor union and left-wing marches.

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Mari Yamaguchi, Yuri Kageyama, Niniek Karmini, Kanis Leung, Suzan Fraser, Riazat Butt, and Abby Sewell contributed to this report.