World of HR: What protesters were calling for this International Workers’ Day

Workers around the world gathered on May 1 to call on governments and employers for better working and living conditions.

Where in the world? Also known as May Day or Labour Day, International Workers’ Day was established in 1889, three years after the Chicago Haymarket riots demanded an 8-hour workday, according to NPR. More than 130 years later, people around the world still gather on May 1 to highlight the plight of workers.

Workers in cities from Seoul to Paris to Buenos Aires gathered this year to protest stagnant wages, poor working conditions, high living costs, and anti-worker laws, according to the Associated Press.

In Paris, garbage collectors and transportation workers were among the roughly 50,000 protesters calling for better wages and workers’ rights, especially as the city gears up for the summer Olympics, the Washington Post reported.

Meanwhile in Argentina, workers rallied against proposed legislation that would extend new employee probation periods and remove fines for companies that use unregistered workers, the Buenos Aires Times reported.

“We are reminded of the rich history and the vital importance of this day; a day that symbolizes the struggle and the achievements of the working class globally, a day that resonates deeply with our collective commitment to advancing the rights and conditions of workers everywhere,” the International Labor Organization said in a statement.

Satellite view. Workers demonstrated in the US as well, with similar goals to their international counterparts. The Los Angeles May Day Coalition rally, for example, called for better wages, the right to strike, and a path to citizenship for immigrants, CBS News reported. And demonstrators in Durham, North Carolina, called for improved wages and health benefits, according to local station WRAL.

“On May Day, we’re showing solidarity with all laborers of the world. It’s an international struggle, and Oakland is a ground zero for always putting our fist in the air. And that’s what we’re doing here today at city hall,” David Newton, a demonstrator in Oakland, told CBS News.

HR pros may want to take some time to ensure they’re offering fair pay and benefits.