This text has been automatically translated, it may contain errors or inaccuracies.
1 May
Favorite
Remove from my list

Thousands of workers mobilize around the world for their rights and demand better working conditions

The cities of Europe, America, Asia or Africa have held massive marches on 1 May to demand better wages, shorter working hours, and greater protection against precariousness, among others.

PARIS (France), 01/05/2026.- Labor and Trade Unions members take part in the annual May Day demonstration in Paris, France, 01 May 2026. Labor Day, also known as International Workers' Day or May Day, is observed annually on 01 May worldwide to celebrate the economic and social achievements of workers and fight for laborers' rights. (Francia) EFE/EPA/YOAN VALAT

A massive march in France on the occasion of the First of May.

Thousands of workers have mobilized around the world this Friday on the occasion of the First of May  in defence of their labour rights. Incities in Europe, America, Asia or Africa, there have been massive marches on 1 May , where trade unions and social organizations have called for better wages, shorter working hours and greater protection against precariousness , among others.

In France, more than 300,000 demonstrators have been counted at the 350 events organised today, calling for wage increases to deal with rising energy prices and rising inflation.

In Germany, the government coalition led by conservative Friedrich Merz plans to undertake pension and income tax reform. In this context, 413 events have been held this Friday, bringing together more than 366,000 people.

They have also accused the government of the ultra-right-wing Giorgia Meloni in Italyof not interrupting the precariousness of wages and the flight of talent. "This is a government that talks about fair wages but does not improve them. This government is not reducing precariousness and allows young people to leave," the unions have denounced.

LAGOS (Nigeria), 01/05/2026.- Workers take part in a Workers' Day rally at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos, Nigeria, 01 May 2026. Workers' Day or Labor Day, is observed all over the world on the first day of May to celebrate the economic and social achievements of workers and advocate for their rights. EFE/EPA/EMMANUEL ADEGBOYE

In Istanbul, some 360 people have been arrested in demonstrations related to the First of May in Taksim Square, an emblematic place for the Turkish workers' movement, but the Islamist government banned demonstrations there today in 2013.

In Latin America, they have also called for better working conditions, and in Cuba, for example, former President Raúl Castro, 94, has appeared in Havana on the occasion of International Labour Day, calling for national defence in the face of possible USmilitary intervention on the island.

In Venezuela, too, they are calling for a decent minimum wage because they have ensured that working there does not guarantee living. In Paraguay, trade unions and social organizations are calling for decent working conditions and an increase in the minimum wage.

PARIS (France), 01/05/2026.- Thousands of protesters take part in the annual May Day demonstration in Paris, France, 01 May 2026. Labor Day, also known as International Workers' Day or May Day, is observed annually on 01 May worldwide to celebrate the economic and social achievements of workers and fight for laborers' rights. (Francia) EFE/EPA/YOAN VALAT

KenyaN today announced a 12% increase in the minimum wage for workers and 15% for rural workers in recognition of their special effort and contribution to the country's economy.

On the other hand, today's day has been conditioned by the impact of mass redundancies in the technology sector in India, where a month ago a labour reform was adopted to facilitate the dismissal of workers and make working hours more flexible.

In this context, Chinan will establish new rules to limit algorithms that organize the work of distributors and platform drivers.

KARACHI (Pakistan), 01/05/2026.- Activists of the National Trade Union Federation of Pakistan (NTUF) rally to mark International Workers' Day in Karachi, Pakistan, 01 May 2026. Labor Day, or May Day, observed annually around the globe on 01 May, celebrates laborers, their rights, achievements, and contributions to society. The theme for International Labor Day 2026 is 'Ensuring a Healthy Psychosocial Working Environment'. EFE/EPA/REHAN KHAN

You might like

Load more