Tuesday, May 02, 2017

May Day Around the World
International Workers Day marked by protests across the globe

Author: International news staff | informacion@granma.cu
May 1, 2017 11:05:44

May Day protests in Spain. Photo: Córdoba PCE

This May Day, the police in Istanbul arrested dozens of demonstrators who attempted to challenge a ban on International Workers Day commemorations in the city's emblematic Taksim Square, closed for the third consecutive May 1.

Likewise Greek trade unions observed the date with a 24-hour general strike, as the country's government prepares more cutbacks to comply with demands of international banks.

In the United States, May Day activities were focused on immigrant rights. Tens of thousands of people are expected to commemorate the day in New York and Los Angeles, protesting an increase in deportations by the Trump administration. Organizers have called for strikes by immigrants in some cities to draw attention to the importance of these workers.

Some 40,000 workers gathered in Indonesia's capital for May Day and marched to the Presidential palace shouting, "Long live the workers," denouncing low wages, inadequate healthcare, and insecure contract jobs, as well as government policies.

Workers in South Korea congregated in Seoul to call for improved working conditions.

In Spain, under the banner of "No excuses, into the streets," May Day demonstrations were held in 73 cities to demand stable jobs, fair wages, adequate pensions, more social security, and an end to labor law reforms.

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