"May 1" was marked by violent demonstrations in Germany. Fierce clashes erupted between protesters and police left at Hamburg, where the rally with nearly 2,000 participants, according to the organizers was initially peaceful, though noisy. But many of the participants seemed to be prone to violence.
There were similar scenes in Istanbul, Turkey, where police used tear gas against protesters. Problems began when groups of people tended to gather in the "Taksim" to celebrate International Workers' Day, which was banned by the authorities. There are some still unconfirmed reports of a person killed in clashes.
"May 1", workers and union members in Russia was marked by a march in "Red Square" in Moscow. Thousands of people gathered with flags, balloons and placards, in the heart of the capital, to move afterwards along the walls of the Kremlin.
This day in Russia is traditionally seen as a moment to celebrate and to be proud of, not as an opportunity to highlight the acute social cramps or problems encountered by workers. In various parts of Asia, "May 1" was remembered with rallies and calls for wage increases and better working conditions.
Thousands of people gathered in Seoul, South Korea opposed the government's plans for reform in employment, which allow companies and individuals suspension negligent, or those who do not have a satisfactory job performance.
