Police clashed with union activists in Istanbul on Thursday as workers around the world roared their May Day battle cry, focusing on soaring food prices.
Clashes erupted as hundreds of police officers surrounded the main square in Turkey's biggest city to stop a planned May Day rally.
Police fired pepper gas and water cannon and detained 505 people. The police assault forced demonstrators into a building where they crowded windows, chanting: "We are the people, we are right, we will win."
Six police officers and two demonstrators were injured, according to officials quoted by Anatolia news agency.
The major Turkish union confederations later gave up their attempt to stage a rally in the Taksim square which has become a focal point for union May Day activism since 34 people were killed in a crackdown on demonstrations in 1977.
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Volatile crowds also staged rallies in the Philippine capital of Manila and Indonesia's Jakarta, carrying signs that demanded "Jobs, Justice, Food" and "Lower Food Prices Now".
The struggle to afford basic food staples such as rice was the focus of many of the demonstrations in Asia, where rallies were patrolled by huge numbers of police.
Jakarta police chief Adang Firman said after monitoring the capital from a helicopter that 10 000 security personnel had been deployed and another 50 000 were on standby.
Police armed with assault rifles were positioned on highways leading to Manila.
"The economic crisis is sharper and more intense this year," said Renato Reyes, secretary-general of left-leaning activist group Bayan.
"Workers in the Philippines have every right to be angry and frustrated."
Rallies focusing on rising living costs were also held in Singapore and Bangkok, where protesters waved signs saying: "Expensive rice prices, cheap labour wages.
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