LONDON: At least 80,000 people marched through central London yesterday to protest against low wages and public spending cuts introduced to reduce Britain’s deficit, organisers said.
The Trades Union Congress (TUC), a federation of the country’s main trade unions, said thousands more gathered in Glasgow and Belfast as part of the “Britain Needs A Pay Rise” event.
The demonstration capped a week of industrial action over low wages, that saw workers in the state-run National Health Service (NHS), courts, job centres and museums stage strikes.
Led by drummers, brass bands, stilt-walkers and members dragging sound systems, the demonstrators in London marched in a carnival spirit, gathering for a rally in Hyde Park before dispersing peacefully.
Organisers were calling on the government to take action to increase wages, which they say have slumped on average by £50 ($80) a week in real terms since 2008. “This is the worst I’ve known it,” said Keith Martin, a 49-year-old labourer.
“Everyone in public services has been hammered for the last three or four years, I’ve had a 25 percent pay cut and they’re (the government) still not saving the money they need to save.”
Ministers say they must continue with their austerity programme to balance Britain’s books, and say they cannot afford the public sector pay rises requested by unions.
But TUC chief Frances O’Grady said workers were “fed up”. Their message was aimed at Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron, but union leaders also warned the opposition Labour party not to pursue “austerity-lite” policies.
A recent study by the New Economics Foundation found that households had suffered a 15 percent decline in their real incomes over the last year. “Everybody seems to be working just to pay the bills and not really to live,” said a 61-year old carer marching in London. “Family life is going downhill. They are leaving the old and vulnerable without help they need.” AFP
