Over 80 countries mark 'International Workers Day' with parades, protests

People in over 80 countries including the Philippines on Tuesday celebrated "May Day" — also known as "Labor Day" or "International Worker’s Day" — with demonstrations, rallies and parades.   According to the website timeanddate.com, May Day is also called Labor Day in many countries "as it also evolved from efforts of the labor union movement to celebrate the economic and social achievements of workers." May Day is celebrated as a national holiday in many countries to honor workers. However, some countries like Australia, Canada, and the United States do not celebrate Workers' Day on May 1 but on other dates. "Originally a celebration of spring and the rebirth taking place in nature, May Day dates back pagan cults that worshipped trees and other symbols of nature," timeanddate.com said. "Traditionally, May Day is characterized by the gathering of flowers and the fertility rite of dancing around the maypole. In recent years, particularly in socialist and Communist countries, May Day has become a labor festival honoring the military and industrial efforts of the country," it added. On May 1, the search engine Google marked Labor Day with a Google Doodle of a woman in construction clothes lifting a steel sign of the Google logo.   'May Day’ around the world   Several countries marked May Day on May 1 either with protests or festive celebrations:   Russia Estimated number of Filipinos: 2,510*   Most of the rallies in Russia especially in Moscow were led by communist activists. They were joined by President Medvedev and Prime Minister Putin, who marched across central Moscow from Kaluzhskaya Square to Theater Square, according to the news site End the Lie.   Indonesia Estimated number of Filipinos: 11,914*   Demanding an increase in wages, Indonesians took to the streets of Jakarta while also protesting to make ‘May Day’ a public holiday, End the Lie said.     Thailand Estimated number of Filipinos: 14,954*   In Bangkok, some 3,000 workers rallied for bigger pay and a protest to improve working conditions, the site said.   Taiwan  Estimated number of Filipinos: 99,399*   According to the news site SF Gate, in Taipei, protesters stormed the streets and alleys of Taipei to declare a disappointment in low wages, high tuition fees, and unsatisfactory work conditions for foreign workers.   Sri Lanka Estimated number of Filipinos: 1212*   In Colmbo, President Mahinda Rajapaska’s supporters rallied to call for support for the government. They held up posters of him to show their loyalty, SF Gate said.     France Estimated number of Filipinos: 50,144*   Demonstrators in France -- composed of workers, leftists and union leaders -- expressed their support for the socialist party in the upcoming presidential elections, SF Gate said.   Nigeria Estimated number of Filipinos: 2,917*   In honor of Worker’s Day in West Africa, Nigeria’s workers and labor unions held a protest march calling for the right to work, food and education, SF Gate said.     Spain Estimated number of Filipinos: 52,611*   According to SF Gate, thousands of protesters held a rally in Barcelona to show their disappointment in Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy for his failure to solve the country’s debt crisis and rising unemployment rate. * Data from the 2010 Stock Estimates of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas    In the Philippines   In the Philippines, both the private and public sector workers expressed their dissatisfaction with President Benigno Aquino III’s Labor Day pronouncements.   They said the president failed to address their concerns regarding a P125 wage hike.   The Confederation for the Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (Courage) neglected Aquino’s promise to advance the last installment of the Salary Standardization Law (SSL3) by one month.   “Ang sinasabi niyang dagdag-sahod, sinabi niyang ito raw ay magdudulot ng pagkalugi ng negosyo at magdudulot ng tanggalan. Apparently siya ang tagapagsalita ng kapitalista, hindi ng manggagawa, kaya nadismayado uli kami,” Courage president Ferdinand Gaite said in an interview on dzBB radio.   Pati government workers, ‘yung sinasabing ia-advance one month ang huling tranch ng SSL3, napaka-minimalniyan. Ang pinakamaliit is P712.75 a month lang ‘yan, pero ang masama niyan sabi niya kami raw makikinabang. Siya ang increase ay additional P12,500 kada buwan,” he added. - VVP, GMA News