May Day celebrations marred by protests and violence

Traditionally 1 May is synonymous with concerts, festivals and rallies celebrating labour rights. It is a national holiday in more than 80 countries and celebrated unofficially in many other countries.

However this year, at a time when up to 26 million persons are unemployed and most countries still reeling from one of the worst recessions in history, celebrations were transformed into manifestations of anger over the continent's inability to overcome the economic plight.

Instead of celebrating labour rights and the reforms which were won from employers and governments in past years, workers in Europe are on strike or demonstrating outside national parliaments.

Major rallies are being held in most European capitals, including in Spain, where the record unemployment and ongoing recession is likely to drive many people onto the streets.

Yesterday, the eurozone jobless rate hit 12.1% and 24% for young people.

In Greece, the main unions are holding marches to Syntagma Square to demonstrate outside the parliament building.

A general strike against tough austerity measures is under way, with trade unions calling for "mass mobilisation" of protesters.

The 24-hour action is expected to severely disrupt public services, including transport and hospitals.

The organisers are demanding an end to spending cuts and tax rises.

The government says the measures are badly needed to lead Greece out of a deep financial crisis and six straight years of recession.

The cabinet of Prime Minister Antonis Samaras says the policies are part of continuing moves to ensure more bailout money from international creditors.

In Italy, hundreds of thousands of left-wingers and anarchists are expected to descend in the streets of Rome to hold demonstrations and gather for the traditional free May Day concert in Piazza San Giovanni.

Earlier, Pope Francis challenged European leaders to do more to combat the unemployment crisis that is gripping the region.

As workers marched in several European capitals, Pope Francis told a gathering in St Peter's Square that unemployment was the product of a focus on profits over social justice.

"I call on politicians to make every effort to relaunch the labour market...Work is fundamental for dignity

I think of labour market difficulties in various countries. I think of people, not just young people, who are unemployed often because of an economic conception of society based on selfish profit outside the bounds of social justice."

Outside the eurozone, there have been violent clashes in Istanbul, Turkey today between marchers and police.

Officers fired water cannon and tear gas at crowds in the Turkish capital, after authorities blocked off access to parts of the capital including Taksim square.

Citing security reasons, the government had banned a rally on Wednesday in Taksim Square, which is undergoing major renovations.

Underground stations, some buses and ferries across the Bosphorus were suspended to prevent large groups from gathering in the square.

Police fired tear gas to disperse hundreds of demonstrators trying to break through barricades to access the square, while protesters responded by hurling stones at officers.

At least three demonstrators and a reporter were injured during the clashes and carried to hospital, Turkish media reported.

Those who tried to gather at Taksim Square included members of trade unions, political parties, socialists and anarchists.

Taksim Square has historic significance for many groups following a massacre on May Day in 1977 when unidentified gunmen opened fire on the crowd.

In central Moscow, at least 70,000 people turned out for a trade union parade backed by the governing United Russia Party, according to police figures

In Bangladesh protesters demanding the execution of factory bosses over the deaths of hundreds in a recent building collapse marched in their thousands in the capital, Dhaka

Some 55,000 marched in Indonesia's capital, Jakarta, protesting at low wages and outsourcing

In Hong Kong, trade unions said they were expecting 5,000 people to march in support of striking dock workers.

In Phnom Pehn, the Cambodian capital, garment factory workers demanded higher wages and better working conditions.

Organisers said about 5,000 demonstrators, including union workers, gathered for the rally, chanting slogans and holding banners.