Workers and trade union members gathered for their annual May Day march to the Ledra Palace hotel in Nicosia’s buffer zone, marking the significance of the day in Cyprus’ divided capital.
Photo: cyprus-mail.com
- Workers and trade union members gathered for their annual May Day march to the Ledra Palace hotel in Nicosia’s buffer zone, marking the significance of the day in Cyprus’ divided capital.
- They reiterated the call for journalists to enjoy the same rights as other workers, emphasising the need for benefits such as the eight-hour workday, overtime pay, and union rights.
- The event highlighted the enduring spirit of May Day, reminding participants that collective action remains a powerful tool in the fight for social and economic justice.
Marches from Both Sides of Nicosia
The May Day celebrations commenced with two separate marches, reflecting the island’s division. The Greek Cypriot march set off from Eleftheria Square, situated on the southern edge of Nicosia’s old town, while the Turkish Cypriot counterpart began from Kugulu Park, located in the moat of the old town’s walls on the northern side.
Voices Against Global Aggression
At the Eleftheria Square, the leader of the trade union Peo, Sotiroula Charalambous, connected the May Day march to pressing global issues. She remarked, “This year’s May Day finds workers and peoples in a new wave of intensifying United States aggression and escalating militarisation.”
Charalambous highlighted various international conflicts, including the war against Iran, which she described as part of the US’s blatant violations of international law, alongside ongoing crises in Palestine, Venezuela, and Cuba.
Solidarity and Workers’ Rights
World Federation of Trade Unions Secretary-General Pambis Kyritsis also addressed the crowd at Eleftheria Square, expressing solidarity with Cypriot workers. He stated, “On this great May Day, we join our voices with you to shout ‘no’ to imperialist wars and interventions, ‘no’ to the economy of war and destruction, ‘no’ to new attacks on social funds and funds for health, education, and social security, ‘no’ to the shrinkage of labour and social rights.”
Kyritsis reaffirmed the federation’s commitment to the Cypriot people’s quest for reunification, advocating for a solution based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation, which he described as having “one sovereignty, one citizenship, and one international personality, and with political equality.” He concluded by emphasising that “the weapon of the working class is solidarity and internationalism.”
Turkish Cypriot Unions Mark the Day
In parallel, Turkish Cypriot trade unions also marked the occasion with statements of support and solidarity. Hakan Uredi, leader of the telecommunications workers’ union Tel-Sen, praised the strength and organisation of workers in his address. He remarked, “We salute the sweat, organised strength, and solidarity of workers.”
Uredi specifically referenced his union’s opposition to a contentious agreement that would grant exclusive rights to the Turkish state-backed telecommunications company Turk Telekom for home broadband internet services in the north. He noted, “Tel-Sen workers have once again shown that rights are protected through a fight, and that gains grow through solidarity. This resistance is the modern-day manifestation of the May Day spirit. We did not remain silent, we did not back down, we did not bow down.”
Advocacy for Journalists’ Rights
The Cyprus Turkish journalists’ union also used the occasion to highlight the importance of journalism within the context of May Day. In a statement, they asserted that “journalism and writing, which are at the forefront of intellectual labour, should also be among the highest values within the scope of May Day.”
They reiterated the call for journalists to enjoy the same rights as other workers, emphasising the need for benefits such as the eight-hour workday, overtime pay, and union rights.
The Spirit of May Day Unites
This year’s May Day was marked by a strong emphasis on unity among workers across the island. Both Greek and Turkish Cypriot participants demonstrated a shared commitment to workers’ rights and social justice, despite the ongoing political division. The marches served not only as a celebration of labour but also as a platform for voicing opposition to global aggression and advocating for the rights of all workers.
The event highlighted the enduring spirit of May Day, reminding participants that collective action remains a powerful tool in the fight for social and economic justice.
