World’s Workers Rally for Higher Pay, Time Off, Safety on May Day

The first day of May, known as May Day, is considered a day to celebrate workers around the world.

On Monday, however, workers around the world took to the streets to express their unhappiness about the money they make, their time off, the high cost of living and the age of retirement¹.

In the former Soviet² Union, May Day was a time to celebrate communism. But on Monday in Russia, celebrations were overshadowed by the country's war with Ukraine.

In Europe

In France, workers want the government to reconsider a decision to increase the retirement age by two years, to 64. Police said they were concerned about protests getting larger if other groups joined in. Some groups there are protesting climate change. Others are concerned about how the 2024 Summer Olympics will affect life in Paris.

In Spain, labor³ union members said their pay has not gone up to match inflation and the higher cost of living.

In the Spanish capital of Madrid, a group of lawyers said old-fashioned rules that require them to be on duty every day of the year must be changed. Lawyers have used social media to show themselves working from the hospital or on days that family members died.

Police in Turkey prevented protesters from reaching Istanbul's main square, Taksim. More than 10 protesters were arrested. Taksim Square is where many people died after a stampede broke out during a May Day event in 1977.

In Asia

In South Korea, thousands of people attended the largest May Day protests since 2020. One protester shouted, "The price of everything has increased except for our wages. Increase our minimum wages!"

In Japan, workers, lawmakers and academics gathered in Tokyo's Yoyogi Park to demand higher pay. They criticized Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's plan to put more money into Japan's defense⁴ budget. The leader has said he plans to look at raising pay for workers.

Indonesian workers marched against a new law called the Job Creation Law, which they say will only help business owners.

In Pakistan, government restrictions⁵ on gatherings⁶ prevented large public rallies. However, smaller groups gathered indoors to demand more support for workers and higher wages.

In the Middle East

Workers in Beirut, Lebanon marched through the streets. They included members of unions and migrant domestic workers. The country is in the middle of an economic crisis. About 75 percent of people in Lebanon are living in poverty because of high inflation.

Words in This Story

stampede –n. a situation where a large group of frightened or excited people or animals run in an uncontrolled way to escape something; an often scary and dangerous situation

academic –adj. used to describe a person such as a professor or researcher who is involved in life at a university

rally –n. a public meeting to support or oppose something

union –n. an organization of workers formed to protect the rights and interests of its members

1 retirement   

n.退休，退职

参考例句：

• She wanted to enjoy her retirement without being beset by financial worries.她想享受退休生活而不必为金钱担忧。
• I have to put everything away for my retirement.我必须把一切都积蓄起来以便退休后用。

2 Soviet   

adj.苏联的，苏维埃的；n.苏维埃

参考例句：

• Zhukov was a marshal of the former Soviet Union.朱可夫是前苏联的一位元帅。
• Germany began to attack the Soviet Union in 1941.德国在1941年开始进攻苏联。

3 labor   

n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦

参考例句：

• We are never late in satisfying him for his labor.我们从不延误付给他劳动报酬。
• He was completely spent after two weeks of hard labor.艰苦劳动两周后，他已经疲惫不堪了。

4 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

5 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制

6 gatherings   

聚集( gathering的名词复数 )； 收集； 采集； 搜集

参考例句：

• His conduct at social gatherings created a lot of comment. 他在社交聚会上的表现引起许多闲话。
• During one of these gatherings a pupil caught stealing. 有一次，其中一名弟子偷窃被抓住。