Earlier this month Greek workers walked off the job to protest the country’s proposed pension cuts and tax increases. This work stoppage “halted public transportation services, shut down government offices and closed schools.” The strike, combined with additional weeks of sit-ins, has left trash piling up and blocked national highways.
Protestors in Greece
On Wednesday, representatives from Greece, the International Monetary Fund, and the Eurogroup agreed upon “a series of loose measures to help
restructure Greek debt when the country’s bailout deal concludes in 2018.” The country’s labor unions have not spoken out on these resolutions yet. The French Cabinet has given Prime Minister Manuel Valls the go-ahead to push through highly-controversial
labour reforms. These would make it easier for employers to hire and fire workers. As expected, many of the people of France are not happy about it. Earlier this week, unions and their members went so far as to block off entrances into depots and oil refineries, leading to
fuel shortages and police action.
May Day has become known as a time for protests and this year was no different. Across the world, workers rallied to demand for higher wages, better conditions, and more job security.
