Workers around the world are taking to the streets Wednesday to mark International Workers Day, also known as May Day, with marches and calls for higher pay and better working conditions.
A May Day labor union strike in Greece has disrupted ferry service to the Greek islands and public transportation in Athens where demonstrators are protesting against prolonged economic austerity policies.
Workers across Spain, where the unemployment rate has rocketed to 27 percent, are holding rallies to call for economic policy changes.
In the Philippines, demonstrators are marching in Manila to demand the government protect their jobs. They also want the government to stop hiring contract workers who do not enjoy the same rights and securities of regular, full-time employees.
Laborers in Cambodia are calling on lawmakers to increase the minimum wage for garment workers.
Police in Istanbul, Turkey Wednesday clashed with people marching towards Taksim Square, the usual site of May Day celebrations.
May Day Rallies Held Around the World
1/10A May Day protester jumps away from a water cannon during clashes between riot police and protesters trying to break through barricades, Istanbul, Turkey, May 1, 2013.
Workers around the world are taking to the streets Wednesday to mark International Workers Day, also known as May Day, with marches and calls for higher pay and better working conditions.
2/10Turkish riot police clash with May Day protesters in central Istanbul, May 1, 2013.
Workers around the world are taking to the streets Wednesday to mark International Workers Day, also known as May Day, with marches and calls for higher pay and better working conditions.
3/10A man carries a portrait of Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin during a Labor Day, or May Day, march in St. Petersburg, Russia, May 1, 2013.
Workers around the world are taking to the streets Wednesday to mark International Workers Day, also known as May Day, with marches and calls for higher pay and better working conditions.
4/10Supporters of the Albanian Red and Black Alliance party shout slogans during a May Day protest in front of the Albanian prime minister's office in Tirana, May 1, 2013.
Workers around the world are taking to the streets Wednesday to mark International Workers Day, also known as May Day, with marches and calls for higher pay and better working conditions.
5/10People carry a banner during a May Day celebration organized by the Austrian Social Democrats and trade unions, Vienna, Austria, May 1, 2013.
Workers around the world are taking to the streets Wednesday to mark International Workers Day, also known as May Day, with marches and calls for higher pay and better working conditions.
6/10Lebanese leftist activists wave flags as they march during a demonstration to mark May Day along a street in Beirut, May 1, 2013.
Workers around the world are taking to the streets Wednesday to mark International Workers Day, also known as May Day, with marches and calls for higher pay and better working conditions.
7/10Workers march during a May Day rally in Jakarta, Indonesia, May 1, 2013.
Workers around the world are taking to the streets Wednesday to mark International Workers Day, also known as May Day, with marches and calls for higher pay and better working conditions.
8/10South Korean police officers attempt to detain a protester during a May Day rally in central Seoul, May 1, 2013.
Workers around the world are taking to the streets Wednesday to mark International Workers Day, also known as May Day, with marches and calls for higher pay and better working conditions.
9/10Protesters, wearing a horse head mask and chains, take part in a May Day protest in front of the Executive Yuan building in Taipei, Taiwan, May 1, 2013.
Workers around the world are taking to the streets Wednesday to mark International Workers Day, also known as May Day, with marches and calls for higher pay and better working conditions.
10/10Garment workers attend a march to mark May Day in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, May 1, 2013.
Workers around the world are taking to the streets Wednesday to mark International Workers Day, also known as May Day, with marches and calls for higher pay and better working conditions.
