MANILA — Workers gathered in cities around the world on May 1, 2026, to mark International Labour Day, with trade unions calling for solidarity and the protection of workers' rights. Some of the largest demonstrations took place in South America, including in Chile, Bolivia and Venezuela, while protesters also rallied in Manila, the Philippines.

In Istanbul, Turkiye, roads around Taksim Square were closed to make way for marches during the day. Later on Friday, demonstrators clashed with police, with some gatherings turning to scuffles.

Workers' unions in France, using the slogan "bread, peace and freedom," called for protests in Paris and other cities. The European Trade Union Confederation linked the rallies to the conflict in the Middle East, where the United States and Israel are at war with Iran, and to rising energy costs. "Working people refuse to pay the price for Donald Trump's war in the Middle East," the confederation said. "Today's rallies show working people will not stand by and see their jobs and living standards destroyed."

In the Philippines, Josua Mata, leader of the SENTRO umbrella group of workers' groups, tied local conditions to broader pressures. "Every Filipino worker now is aware that the situation here is deeply connected to the global crisis," Mata said.

Said Iqbal, president of the Indonesian Trade Union Confederation, pointed to financial strain on households. "Workers are already living pay cheque to pay cheque," he said.

In Argentina, workers protested on Thursday in Buenos Aires over President Javier Milei's recent overhaul of long-held labour protections. The Cuban foreign ministry held a gathering the same day in defiance of what it called the U.S.'s aggressions, threats, intensified blockade, and energy siege. Cubans were expected to mark International Labour Day on Friday with a mass rally and a march in Havana.

Palestinian workers canceled May Day events in Gaza. The Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions cited the economic crisis and poor conditions on the ground, and said about 550,000 workers across Gaza and the West Bank have no income and that the situation is unprecedented.

Workers' rights coalitions called for urgent action to curb extreme wealth, urging governments to impose higher, fairer taxes on the wealthiest and to limit excessive executive pay. The International Trade Union Confederation reported that at least four CEOs of major corporations each pocketed more than $100 million in pay and bonuses last year, while many workers face potential job cuts.

Labour Day began in the United States when workers protested for an eight-hour workday in the 1880s, though the U.S. does not count May Day as a public holiday. Hundreds of demonstrations and marches were planned across the country, with an umbrella group of activist and workers' groups known as May Day Strong calling for protests under the slogan "workers over billionaires."