Thousands of trade union members protested outside European Union headquarters to demand better working conditions and protections for employees after next month's EU-wide elections.
Union delegates from across many of the bloc's 28 nations gathered for the peaceful march in Brussels on Friday. They say current EU rules favor businesses and employers too much, leaving workers with little incentive to support a united Europe.
Luca Visentini, general secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation, says the "only way to save Europe and to save democracy is to make sure that workers can really benefit from rights, from growth, from jobs and from better wages."
An inflated cow shaped balloon with an EU flag is pulled during a protest by European trade unions in Brussels, Friday, April 26, 2019. Thousands of trade union demonstrators protested outside of European Union headquarters to demand better protection and working conditions in the wake of next month's EU-wide elections. (AP PhotoFrancisco Seco)
Police estimated 4,600 people demonstrated, while unions put the number at around 8,000.
People listen to speeches near the European Commission headquarters during a protest by European trade unions in Brussels, Friday, April 26, 2019. Thousands of trade union demonstrators protested outside of European Union headquarters to demand better protection and working conditions in the wake of next month's EU-wide elections. (AP PhotoFrancisco Seco)
People march during a protest by European trade unions in Brussels, Friday, April 26, 2019. Thousands of trade union demonstrators protested outside of European Union headquarters to demand better protection and working conditions in the wake of next month's EU-wide elections. (AP PhotoFrancisco Seco)
People march during a protest by European trade unions in Brussels, Friday, April 26, 2019. Thousands of trade union demonstrators protested outside of European Union headquarters to demand better protection and working conditions in the wake of next month's EU-wide elections. (AP PhotoFrancisco Seco)