Trade unions and other groups were staging rallies around the world Sunday to mark International Workers Day.
A look at some May Day events:
TAIWAN
In Taipei, Taiwan's capital, labor unions took to the streets with a march to call on the government to reduce working hours and increase wages.
Many among the Taiwanese public have been concerned that outgoing President Ma Ying-jeou's push for closer economic ties with China has benefited just a few. Young Taiwanese have seen wages stagnate and good full-time jobs harder to find as the export-led economy has slowed.
Chen Li-jen, a protester with the Taiwan Petroleum Workers Union, said that while companies were seeing their earnings per share grow every year, workers' salaries were not rising in tandem.
"Hardworking laborers are being exploited by consortiums," Chen said.
"For the past decade, our basic salary has not made any progress," he said. "Laborers' rights have always been neglected. This is why I hope to take advantage of the May 1 Labor Day protest and tell the government that we are determined to fight for our rights."
- AP videojournalist Johnson Lai, Taipei