Thousands of people in Spain protest austerity measures in Madrid

Thousands of people in Spain have flocked to the streets in the country’s capital, Madrid, denouncing the government’s recently implemented austerity measures.

Anti-government protesters from different parts of the country traveled to the capital to cap their “Marches for Dignity” with a rally there, voicing their discontent at low wages and a lack of job security.

Organizers claimed that at least 200,000 people had attended the event, while the local prefecture put the turnout at only 6,000.

People wave flags, placards and banners during a demonstration called the Marches for Dignity, in Madrid, May 27, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

Waving flags and carrying banners that read, “Bread, work, roof and equality,” demonstrators chanted slogans against Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and his government’s labor reforms.

Rajoy’s new measures include a 21-percent sales tax and a 3.5-billion-euro cut to budgets for local councils.

“We demand a little dignity, above all for workers and for our children who are going to live in conditions worse that we have. We need fair salaries. Dignity for the Spanish people,” a retired protester said in the rally.

“I am here to demonstrate in favor of dignity for the working class and to show my solidarity and support for the ideals we all have,” said another.

Dozens of trade unions and left-wing groups also joined the Saturday protest, calling for the protection of workers’ rights and a stable pension system.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy waves as he arrives at the Automobile Barcelona fair, in Barcelona, May 12, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

Since Rajoy’s conservative government adopted labor reforms in 2012, Spain has experienced an economic growth. It also saw a nearly 10-percent cut in unemployment over a period between 2013 and the first quarter of this year.

Critics, however, say the downside is that many jobs are precarious, with no guarantee of working hours, and are often poorly paid as the minimum wage in Spain is 825 euros per month.

Spain is also one of the European countries that received bailout funds from the International Monetary Fund and the European Union. In return for the loans, the Spanish government has had to enforce unpopular austerity measures.

The country has been hit by a wave of anti-austerity demonstrations and strikes since the country’s economy fell into recession in 2008.