PARIS: French and Turkish police fired tear gas at protesters as tensions erupted in both countries during May Day rallies on Sunday (May 1), while thousands marched across the globe for the annual celebration of worker's rights.
From Moscow to Madrid, workers chanted demands for higher wages, better conditions and more job security as many countries battle economic uncertainty and high unemployment.
Thick clouds of tear gas hung above the Place de la Nation square in Paris where youths in balaclavas and ski masks lobbed cobblestones and bottles at black-clad riot troops shouting: "Everyone hates the police."
Police estimated some 17,000 protesters marched throughout the French capital for a rally riding a wave of anger against planned labour reforms set to come before parliament on Tuesday. Ten people were arrested, while one demonstrator and one officer were lightly injured in the scuffles, police said.
The May Day rally was the second protest against the reforms in a week to descend into violence led by troublemakers known as "casseurs" (breakers) who actively seek confrontation with security forces.
"We will respond with the greatest of determination to these troublemakers ... the attacks and violence against security forces are unacceptable," said French Prime Minister Manuel Valls on Sunday.
While the government hopes the reforms will reduce chronic unemployment of about 10 percent, critics believe they threaten hard-won workers' rights by making it easier to lay off people in lean times.
The government has already watered down the bill but this has failed to calm the anger among students and workers.
"Withdraw, withdraw the labour law. Not amendable, not negotiable," protesters chanted.
TENSIONS IN TURKEY
In Istanbul, police clamped down on unauthorised protests at a time of particular tension after a succession of deadly attacks this year in Turkey blamed on militants and Kurdish militants.
Around 25,000 police were on duty, cordoning off the central Taksim Square and releasing volleys of tear gas and water cannon on those trying to make their way to the protest hotspot, an AFP photographer said.
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