Global Workers March on International Labour Day Amid Recession Fears
Al Jazeera Staff
Workers around the world rallied on International Labour Day, demanding rights protection and opposing economic and war policies driving price hikes. Unions voiced fears of a global recession and income inequality, with major protests in South America and calls for higher taxes on the ultra-rich.
Workers across the globe gathered in multiple cities to mark International Labour Day on May 1. Unions called for solidarity and the protection of workers' rights amid the U.S.-Israel war against Iran and surging energy costs threatening the global economy.
The European Trade Union Confederation, representing 93 union organizations in 41 European countries, told the media: “Workers refuse to pay the price for Donald Trump’s war in the Middle East. Today’s rallies show workers will not stand by while their jobs and living standards are destroyed.”
In the Philippines, Josua Mata, leader of workers’ advocacy group SENTRO, noted: “Every Filipino worker now realizes that the situation at home is deeply connected to the global crisis.” Renato Reyes, head of the leftist political group Bayan, told AP: “There will be louder calls for wage hikes and economic relief because fuel prices have never risen this high.”
In Indonesia, Said Iqbal, Chairman of the Indonesian Trade Union Confederation, told reporters: “Workers are living from paycheck to paycheck.”
Some of the largest protests took place in South America, including Chile, Bolivia, and Venezuela. In Argentina, angry workers demonstrated in the capital Buenos Aires against President Javier Milei’s overhaul of long-standing labor protections.
In Cuba, the Foreign Ministry organized a gathering to protest what it called “increased U.S. aggression, threats, blockade, and energy siege.” On Friday, Cubans plan a major rally and march in Havana.
In many countries, Labour Day marches drew large crowds as May 1 is a public holiday. In Istanbul, Turkey, roads around Taksim Square were closed for the march. In France, where most people have the day off, unions under the slogan “bread, peace, and freedom” called for protests in Paris and other cities.
Global Recession Fears
Anxiety over a global economic downturn hung over Labour Day rallies amid rising income inequality. In Gaza, Palestinian workers canceled May Day events due to the economic crisis caused by Israel’s genocidal war and harsh field conditions. The Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions reported about 550,000 workers in Gaza and the West Bank without income, an unprecedented situation.
The International Trade Union Confederation reported that at least four CEOs of major corporations earned over $100 million each in salary and bonuses last year, while many workers face job losses. Workers’ rights unions urged urgent action to curb excessive wealth, calling on governments to impose higher and fairer taxes on the ultra-rich and cap excessive executive pay.
Although Labour Day originated in the U.S. when workers demanded an eight-hour workday in the 1880s, the country does not observe May 1 as a holiday. However, the activist and union advocacy group May Day Strong called for protests under the slogan “workers over billionaires.” Hundreds of rallies and marches were planned across the U.S.
