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Rallies under way as workers gather for International Labour Day
TL;DR
Workers worldwide are rallying for International Labour Day, advocating for workers' rights amid rising energy costs and geopolitical tensions. Trade unions emphasize solidarity and the need for economic relief as living standards are threatened.
Key points
- Workers are gathering globally for International Labour Day
- Trade unions demand solidarity and protection of workers' rights
- Concerns about the global economy due to rising energy costs
- Calls for higher wages and economic relief are increasing
- Geopolitical tensions are impacting local economic conditions
Workers are gathering in cities around the world to mark International Labour Day.
Trade Unions are calling for solidarity and the protection of workers’ rights as the United States-Israeli war on Iran and rising energy costs raise concerns about the global economy.
“Working people refuse to pay the price for Donald Trump’s war in the Middle East,” the European Trade Union Confederation, which represents 93 trade union organisations in 41 European countries, told the media. “Today’s rallies show working people will not stand by and see their jobs and living standards destroyed.”
Josua Mata, leader of the SENTRO umbrella group of workers’ groups in the Philippines, said: “Every Filipino worker now is aware that the situation here is deeply connected to the global crisis.”
Renato Reyes, a leader of the left-wing political group Bayan in the Philippines, told The Associated Press: “There will be a louder call for higher wages and economic relief because of the unprecedented spikes in fuel prices.”
In Indonesia, Said Iqbal, president of the Indonesian Trade Union Confederation, told reporters: “Workers are already living pay cheque to pay cheque.”
Some of the largest demonstrations are being held in South America, including in Chile, Bolivia and Venezuela. In Argentina, angry workers protested on Thursday in the capital of Buenos Aires over President Javier Milei’s recent overhaul of long-held labour protections.
In Cuba, the foreign ministry held a gathering on Thursday in defiance of what it called the US’s “aggressions, threats, intensified blockade, and energy siege”.
On Friday, Cubans are expected to mark International Labour Day with a mass rally and a march in Havana.
In many countries, Labour Day rallies attract large crowds because May 1 is a public holiday. In the Turkish city of Istanbul, roads around Taksim Square have been closed to make way for marches during the day.
In France, where most people have the day off for May Day, workers’ unions using the slogan “bread, peace and freedom” called for protests in Paris and other cities.
Global recession fears
Fears of a global recession are looming over Labour Day rallies at a time when income inequality is growing.
In Gaza, Palestinian workers have cancelled May Day events because of the economic crisis caused by Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza and poor conditions on the ground.
The Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions said that about 550,000 workers across Gaza and the West Bank have no income and that the situation is unprecedented.
Q&A
What are the main issues being raised during International Labour Day rallies?
The main issues include the protection of workers' rights, rising energy costs, and the impact of geopolitical conflicts on the global economy.
How are trade unions responding to the current economic situation?
Trade unions are calling for solidarity among workers and demanding higher wages and economic relief due to unprecedented spikes in fuel prices.
What is the significance of the rallies in the context of the US-Israeli war on Iran?
The rallies highlight workers' refusal to bear the economic burden of geopolitical conflicts, linking local economic struggles to broader international issues.
