Spain: 30,000 March in Anti-Austerity Labor Protest in Madrid

The protesters demand an increase in salaries and pensions and a rollback of austerity measures that have worsened poverty and inequality.

After years of depreciatory right-wing austerity, thousands of workers in Madrid took to the streets Sunday to protest the Spanish government’s labor policies.

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Nearly 30,000 people showed up to the marches organized by two of the country’s biggest labor unions, the General Union of Workers or UGT and the Workers' Commissions or CCOO.

Under the banner of "People and their rights first,” Sunday’s march comes in the wake of nearly 60 smaller protests held by unions recently across the country.

"We won't allow the government to maintain the cuts of recent years," declared UGT leader Jose Maria Alvarez. “These demonstrations will continue if necessary. It only depends on the government’s ability not only to discuss, but also to negotiate and make agreements.”

Eva Garcia, a student protester, added,“We are in an unsustainable situation. Many people and students can’t live like this anymore and that is why we are here protesting. We have to keep taking to the streets.”

"For people and their rights. More than 30,000 demonstrators in Madrid."

The protesters are demanding an increase in salaries and pensions and a rollback of the government's austerity measures that have contributed to poverty and inequality in the country.

The march has been backed by the left-wing Podemos party, the Socialist Workers' Party, also known as PSOE, as well as the United Left.

Spanish Labor Minister Fatima Banez came out to say that unions should negotiate with the government instead of marching.

"If the unions want a change, then they should agree to one with employers and we will consider it," Banez told Cope radio.

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