World's Workers Rally for Higher Pay, Time Off, Safety on May Day
2023-05-02
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1The first day of May, known as May Day, is considered a day to celebrate workers around the world.
2On 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 retirement.
3In the former Soviet Union, May Day was a time to celebrate communism.
4But on Monday in Russia, celebrations were overshadowed by the country's war with Ukraine.
5In France, workers want the government to reconsider a decision to increase the retirement age by two years, to 64.
6Police said they were concerned about protests getting larger if other groups joined in.
7Some groups there are protesting climate change.
8Others are concerned about how the 2024 Summer Olympics will affect life in Paris.
9In Spain, labor union members said their pay has not gone up to match inflation and the higher cost of living.
10In 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.
11Lawyers have used social media to show themselves working from the hospital or on days that family members died.
12Police in Turkey prevented protesters from reaching Istanbul's main square, Taksim.
13More than 10 protesters were arrested.
14Taksim Square is where many people died after a stampede broke out during a May Day event in 1977.
15In South Korea, thousands of people attended the largest May Day protests since 2020.
16One protester shouted, "The price of everything has increased except for our wages. Increase our minimum wages!"
17In Japan, workers, lawmakers and academics gathered in Tokyo's Yoyogi Park to demand higher pay.
18They criticized Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's plan to put more money into Japan's defense budget.
19The leader has said he plans to look at raising pay for workers.
20Indonesian workers marched against a new law called the Job Creation Law, which they say will only help business owners.
21Thousands of workers in Taiwan protested labor policies ahead of the 2024 presidential election there.
22They said they did not like President Tsai Ing-wen's labor decisions.
23In Pakistan, government restrictions on gatherings prevented large public rallies.
24However, smaller groups gathered indoors to demand more support for workers and higher wages.
25Workers in Beirut, Lebanon marched through the streets.
26They included members of unions and migrant domestic workers.
27The country is in the middle of an economic crisis.
28About 75 percent of people in Lebanon are living in poverty because of high inflation.
29I'm Ashley Thompson.
1The first day of May, known as May Day, is considered a day to celebrate workers around the world. 2On 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 retirement. 3In the former Soviet Union, May Day was a time to celebrate communism. But on Monday in Russia, celebrations were overshadowed by the country's war with Ukraine. 4In Europe 5In 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. 6In Spain, labor union members said their pay has not gone up to match inflation and the higher cost of living. 7In 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. 8Police 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. 9In Asia 10In 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!" 11In 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 defense budget. The leader has said he plans to look at raising pay for workers. 12Indonesian workers marched against a new law called the Job Creation Law, which they say will only help business owners. 13Thousands of workers in Taiwan protested labor policies ahead of the 2024 presidential election there. They said they did not like President Tsai Ing-wen's labor decisions. 14In Pakistan, government restrictions on gatherings prevented large public rallies. However, smaller groups gathered indoors to demand more support for workers and higher wages. 15In the Middle East 16Workers 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. 17I'm Ashley Thompson. 18Dan Friedell adapted this story for Learning English based on a report by the Associated Press. 19_______________________________________________________________ 20Words in This Story 21stampede -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 22academic -adj. used to describe a person such as a professor or researcher who is involved in life at a university 23rally -n. a public meeting to support or oppose something 24union -n. an organization of workers formed to protect the rights and interests of its members 25_________________________________________________________________ 26We want to hear from you. How do you feel about your working conditions? 27Here is how our comment system works: 28Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here.