German Workers Demand Wage Raise in Europe

Berlin, May 1 (Prensa Latina) German workers on Tuesday demanded higher wages and better working conditions in their country and in Europe, at a time when the region is experiencing severe cuts due to the public debt.

Led by the chairman of the German Confederation of Trade Unions, Michel Sommer, thousands of men and women demanded during the May Day celebrations a minimum wage of 8.50 Euros per hour.

Under the slogan Good job for Europe, fair wages and social security, the union leader called on people to fight against low salaries, banks' power and austerity policies.

In his speech, Sommer described as wrong the policy implemented by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the European governments that have supported her to save drastically, in order to counter the debt and budget crisis.

Sommer also criticized the policy followed so far by the heads of the eurozone, who are responsible for the poverty affecting many European countries, as it allows corruption, increased military budgets and privatization of citizens' assets, and gives free rein to the financial sector.