May 1st was celebrated with great enthusiasm across the country

May 1st, Labor and Solidarity Day, was celebrated with enthusiasm across Turkey. Workers gathered in the squares to voice their demands against injustice and labor exploitation.

Calls for unity, solidarity, and justice took center stage in celebrations stretching from Istanbul to Ankara, and from Izmir to various cities across Anatolia.

Eskişehir

Great enthusiasm was witnessed during the May 1st Labor and Solidarity Day celebrations in Eskişehir, where approximately 5,000 citizens participated.

As in the rest of the country, May 1st Labor and Solidarity Day celebrations were held in Eskişehir.

In the early hours of the day, approximately 5,000 citizens gathered on Atatürk Boulevard for the celebrations. To prevent any negative incidents, Provincial Security Directorate teams conducted individual searches of participants and implemented various security measures. Following the checks, citizens formed processions and marched to Odunpazarı Square, accompanied by banners and slogans.

The event was attended by CHP Eskişehir deputies Utku Çakırözer, Jale Nur Süllü, and İbrahim Arslan, as well as Eskişehir Metropolitan Mayor Ayşe Ünlüce, Odunpazarı Mayor Kazım Kurt, Tepebaşı Mayor Ahmet Ataç, and CHP Provincial Chair Talat Yalaz.

Groups danced and enjoyed themselves to music, celebrating May 1st with enthusiasm.

Sinop

In Sinop, following a call by the May 1st Organizing Committee, representatives of unions, political parties, and non-governmental organizations, along with citizens from the city center and other districts, gathered at the Hamsi Road location and marched to Uğur Mumcu Square, where the celebration took place, while chanting slogans.

For security reasons, all participants entering the area were searched by police teams.

Sinop May 1st Organizing Committee Chair Musa Uzun stated in his speech: "Every day, more workers, more laborers, more young people, and more women are struggling to survive without job security and with their rights taken away. The principle of the rule of law is indispensable to the struggle we workers are waging. As workers and laborers, we have always upheld this principle. We are in favor of all processes being conducted within the framework of law and democracy. First and foremost, everyone must respect the presumption of innocence and the legal process. Within the framework of the rule of law, the necessary environment must be provided for all views and thoughts to be expressed and distributed visually and in writing. Freedom of the press is the guarantee of a democratic structure. The foundation of the economic policies implemented must be people and employment. Working in secure and humane conditions is not a privilege, but a fundamental human right. Women must be involved in all areas of social life, safe and violence-free working environments must be provided, and mobbing and harassment must end. Strong participation in social life will play a major role in breaking the cycle of violence against women. The subcontracting issue must be resolved as soon as possible within the scope of worker status, unionization, and collective bargaining rights. Subcontracted workers in the public sector must be given permanent staff status. The retirement problems of internship and apprenticeship victims must be solved. The practice of temporary employment in public institutions is a form of precarious employment. Workers employed under these conditions must be employed securely. Work accidents that turn into work-related homicides must be prevented. Informality is one of our country's long-standing economic problems and still persists. The informality problem must be solved, and everyone must be registered. Severance pay is an indispensable and non-negotiable right for workers. Demands to touch, abolish, or narrow it should not even be brought to the agenda. The minimum wage should be calculated on a family basis, not an individual one, and should provide decent living conditions. The obstacles to organizing in working life are growing every day." he said.

Following the speeches, participants enjoyed themselves with music.

Kırşehir

In Kırşehir, a march was organized by unions for May 1st Labor and Solidarity Day. The march, which was also attended by employees of Petlas A.Ş. and Cemas Döküm Sanayi, took place under the shadow of rumors of layoffs.

Unions drawing attention to labor and workers' rights gathered at Cacabey Square for the march organized for May 1st Labor and Solidarity Day.

Celebrations were held here with traditional drums and zurnas. Meanwhile, it was learned that approximately 500 workers had been laid off at Petlas A.Ş. in the last 5 months, while rumors of layoffs at Cemas Döküm Sanayi caused anxiety among employees.

Developments at both factories were frequently discussed during the march.

In the march organized jointly by labor and education unions, slogans such as "Long live May 1st" and "We are workers, we are right, we will win" were chanted. The group, which chanted slogans for a while, later dispersed peacefully.

Çorum

In Çorum, as part of the celebration program prepared by Türk-İş, KESK, and DİSK, a group gathered at Pir Baba Park and marched from Gazi Street to 15 July Martyrs Freedom Square, carrying signs and banners and chanting slogans.

Security measures were taken by the Provincial Security Directorate along the march route and in the square.

At the event, Emekli-Sen Çorum Provincial Chair Hikmet Aydın, Toleyis Union Provincial Chair Nihat Tekin, KESK Term Spokesperson Nevzat Veldet, and Eğitim Sen Çorum Branch Chair Kenan Sırma delivered speeches conveying the problems and demands of the workers.

Çorum Mayor Halil İbrahim Aşgın also came to the area and congratulated the participants on the holiday.

At the event, CHP Çorum Deputy Mehmet Tahtasız and CHP Provincial Chair Dinçer Solmaz danced the halay with those attending the celebration.

Tokat

In Tokat, as part of the celebration program prepared by KESK and DİSK, a group gathered in front of Gaziosmanpaşa Stadium and marched from Gaziosmanpaşa Boulevard to Republic Square, carrying signs and banners and chanting slogans.

Security measures were taken by the Provincial Security Directorate along the march route and in the square.

Participants in the celebration danced the halay.

Çankırı

Union members gathered at Kucaklama Taşı in Çankırı and marched to the Municipal Square, chanting slogans and carrying banners and Turkish flags.

Speaking at the program held there, Petrol-İş Union Branch Chair Halil İbrahim Topçu celebrated the May 1st Labor and Solidarity Day of the workers.

Mentioning the importance of workers and laborers, Topçu stated that workers are stronger together.

The program was attended by representatives of non-governmental organizations and union members.

Aydın

Participants gathered at Malazgirt Square in Mimar Sinan Neighborhood. Laborers, democratic mass organizations, and university students who gathered here formed processions and marched to the square located across from the Efekent Covered Bazaar. KESK Term Spokesperson and SES Aydın Branch Co-Chair Özkan Arat delivered a speech.

Denizli 

In Denizli, political parties, unions, professional chambers, and democratic mass organizations gathered at Çınar Square and marched in processions to Ulus Square. During the march, the slogan "We are the producers, we will be the rulers" was chanted.

Uşak

In Uşak, citizens met in front of Uşak Stadium and marched from there to Uşak City Square. In the speech made after the march carried out by unions and political parties, it was emphasized that May 1st is not just a celebration, but also a day of struggle.

Muğla

In Muğla, May 1st celebrations took place in different districts. In the central district of Muğla, political parties, unions, professional chambers, and democratic mass organizations gathered at Kışla Park.

From there, a march took place to Atatürk Boulevard, where a rally was held. In Bodrum, citizens also gathered in front of the Marina to celebrate May 1st.

In Datça, May 1st celebrations began in front of the Datça Democracy House. Gathering there, they marched in processions to Republic Square. During the march, slogans such as "No passage for Sharia, fascism, and darkness" and "Work, bread, freedom" were frequently chanted.

Amasya

Union and political party members gathered at Künç Bridge in Amasya and marched from Pirinççi Street to Yavuz Selim Square, chanting slogans.

The group, which was admitted to the celebration area after being searched at security points, danced the halay accompanied by drums and zurnas.

Health and Social Service Workers' Union Amasya Branch Chair Satılmış Ayan also delivered a speech there.

Kastamonu

Labor unions gathered at Kastamonu Republic Square and at the Turkey Yol-İş Union Branches No. 1 and 2 to hold celebrations.

Mayor Hasan Baltacı said in his speech at Republic Square, "I celebrate the May 1st Labor, Struggle, and Solidarity Day of my worker friends, laboring friends, civil servants, young people, women, and dear children. Welcome, you have brought joy."

At the celebration held at the Turkey Yol-İş Union, Branch No. 1 Chair Mehmet Çelik and Branch No. 2 Chair Sadık Düzgün celebrated the workers' holiday in their speeches.

Edirne

In Edirne, as part of the celebrations, confederation and union members gathered on Atatürk Boulevard and marched to Saraçlar Street.

Edirne Mayor Filiz Gencan Akın said in her speech there that workers were celebrating solidarity and the struggle together.

Stating that she respectfully bows before all laborers who produce, grow, struggle, and work for their city, Akın said, "It is very important that all our citizens and all democratic mass organizations shout with one voice. I thank all our unions and laborers here."

Reading the statement prepared on behalf of the DİSK Thrace Regional Representation, Çisem Aksoy stated that they were together to protect labor, law, and justice.

After the speech, workers danced the halay to music.

During the celebration, the program's presenter sent greetings to the workers continuing restoration work on the same street and celebrated their holiday.

The program was attended by CHP Edirne Deputy Ahmet Baran Yazgan, CHP Edirne Provincial Chair Harika Taybıllı, representatives of unions and non-governmental organizations, and citizens.

Tekirdağ

In the Çorlu district of Tekirdağ, May 1st Labor and Solidarity Day was also celebrated with various events.

Iğdır

As in the rest of Turkey, May 1st Labor and Solidarity Day was celebrated in Iğdır with various events. Hundreds of people participated in the programs organized to draw attention to the rights of laborers and to reinforce the spirit of solidarity.

In the morning hours, labor unions, non-governmental organizations, political parties, and citizens gathered on Zübeyde Hanım Boulevard, and other groups joined them, carrying out a procession march accompanied by slogans.

The crowd, marching with colorful banners, signs, and anthems, created enthusiastic scenes. In the speeches made during the program, the economic difficulties experienced by laborers, workers' rights, and demands for fair wages were voiced.

Union representatives emphasized the sanctity of labor and stated that they wanted a fairer and more equal working life.

Within the scope of the events, local and famous artists took the stage, halays were danced, and various cultural performances were exhibited.

Diyarbakır

In Diyarbakır, a rally was held at Station Square for May 1st Labor and Solidarity Day, organized by the Public Workers' Unions Confederation (KESK) Branches Platform, the Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions (DİSK), the Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB), the Medical Chamber, and various non-governmental organizations.

The rally, which began with a moment of silence in memory of those who lost their lives in the struggle for freedom and democracy, continued with a concert event. The rally was attended by DEM Party Co-Chair Tuncer Bakırhan, KESK Chair Ahmet Karagöz, representatives of non-governmental organizations, and political party leaders.

Delivering a speech at the rally, DEM Party Co-Chair Tuncer Bakırhan stated that they would continue the struggle for peace and labor until they achieve success, saying, "We commemorate with respect and gratitude all our laboring brothers and comrades who gave their lives honorably in the struggle for labor and peace, like saints, and who are not among us today, and we promise once again in your presence in Diyarbakır, in the presence of the walls, that we will struggle honorably until we bring their struggle for peace and labor to success."

Samsun

In Samsun, May 1st Labor and Solidarity Day was celebrated with colorful scenes.

May 1st Labor and Solidarity Day celebrations in Samsun began with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Atatürk statue.

Workers and laborers gathered at the Gar Junction and marched along Republic Street to the square where the events were to be held, accompanied by slogans and banners. Miners, bakers, and other professional groups walking in their work clothes from time to time were appreciated by those participating in the march.

Labor and Solidarity Day events ended with the singing of songs and anthems and dancing the halay after the speeches of the May 1st Organizing Committee representatives.

Kırklareli

In Kırklareli, May 1st Labor and Solidarity Day was celebrated with ceremonies.

In Kırklareli, May 1st Labor and Solidarity Day was celebrated with ceremonies held with the participation of labor unions.

Labor unions in the provinces and districts of Thrace gathered in the square in the Lüleburgaz district.

The community, which marched to Congress Square with slogans accompanied by a procession, entered the area after body searches.

While various slogans were chanted in the area, a concert was given by local artists.

Later, union representatives delivered speeches.

Afyonkarahisar

In Afyonkarahisar, May 1st Labor and Solidarity Day was celebrated with the participation of unions and non-governmental organizations.

The celebrations were held at Zafer Square. Roads leading to the square were closed by the police for the celebrations.

In the celebrations where intense security measures were taken, participants were admitted to the area after body searches.

In the celebrations where unions showed high participation, students, along with non-governmental organizations and some political parties, also supported the event. In the press statements made during the celebrations, wishes were expressed for the rights of employees to be increased further.

Erzincan

May 1st Labor and Solidarity Day, which is celebrated with various events across Turkey, was celebrated in Erzincan with a march event.

In Erzincan, within the scope of May 1st Labor and Solidarity Day events, representatives of various unions, political parties, and non-governmental organizations marched from in front of the Courthouse to Republic Square.

The police closed Fevzipaşa and Ordu Streets to traffic due to the May 1st events, and the celebration area was surrounded by a security barricade.

Citizens entered Republic Square under intense security measures by the police.

May 1st celebration events continued with speeches made in the rally area by union representatives and association managers.

After the speeches, political party representatives, unions, and citizens who attended the event danced the halay together.

Giresun

In Giresun, May 1st Labor and Solidarity Day celebrations took place with great enthusiasm this year as well. Mayor Fuat Köse, who attended the celebrations, said, "We marched shoulder to shoulder with our fellow citizens, and we shouted once again that we are together for rights, law, and justice. We are always on the side of labor, we are always one, we are together."

In Giresun, unions and political parties came together for May 1st to defend the rights of laborers and give messages of solidarity. The march, which started from the Debboy area accompanied by music, continued with slogans, applause, and anthems. The crowd reached Osman Ağa Square after passing through intense security checks and participated in the rally there.

In the speeches made after the march, issues such as workers' rights, working conditions, and income justice were addressed. After the speeches, the crowd played games and danced the halay. Köse also danced the halay and performed the Giresun karşılaması with those attending the celebration.

Drawing attention to the importance of labor and sweat, Köse expressed, "Labor, sweat, struggle... Today is the day of labor, solidarity, and being one. On May 1st Labor and Solidarity Day, we marched shoulder to shoulder with our fellow citizens, and we shouted once again that we are together for rights, law, and justice. We are always on the side of labor, we are always one, we are together."

Batman

In Batman, while unions and non-governmental organizations organized a march and held celebrations by dancing the halay within the scope of May 1st Labor and Solidarity Day, some construction workers watched those moments.

Masters working on construction sites in the city center continued their shifts on May 1st. Formwork master Yılmaz Çetin said, "We are continuing May 1st Labor Day by working on construction sites."

While the celebrations were ongoing, construction masters who were on duty at the construction site watched the May 1st enthusiasm in the squares while continuing their work.

The events took place under intense security measures taken by police teams.

Manisa

In Manisa, May 1st Labor and Solidarity Day was celebrated with a program held at Republic Square after a march organized by worker, civil servant, and retiree unions and political parties.

The procession march, which started from the historic Sultan Mosque and continued to Republic Square, was supported by civil servant and retiree unions and political parties, as well as labor unions.

The events carried out by the Manisa Labor, Democracy, and Peace Platform began with a march covering a distance of approximately 2 kilometers from in front of the historic Sultan Mosque to Republic Square. The march was supported by CHP Manisa Deputy Ahmet Vehbi Bakırlıoğlu, mayors, labor unions, civil servant and retiree unions, and political parties.

Those participating in the march walked to Republic Square accompanied by slogans. Participants, who entered the area under intense security measures by the police at Republic Square, held a minute of silence in memory of the workers who lost their lives.

After the speeches made by platform members regarding the importance of May 1st, participants danced the halay accompanied by music.

In the Soma district of Manisa, where May 1st was celebrated, they marched from Cengiz Topel Square to the Millet Garden.

In the statement made here by Musa Görgün from the SOL Party, he said, "We are here. We are here against the misery wage, precariousness, hunger, and death deemed appropriate for us. Today, hundreds of thousands of laborers in mining, health, education, municipalities, and industry are left to the mercy of subcontracting companies. What will save our country from this darkness and from the reign of a handful of bandits will be our resistance and power born from unity."

Zonguldak

In Zonguldak, a celebration program was organized for May 1st Labor and Solidarity Day.

During the procession, workers welding iron on the second floor of a workplace watched the march while working.

May 1st Labor and Solidarity Day celebrations began in front of Station Street.

The gathered crowd marched to the front of the Miner's Monument. During the march, workers on the second floor of a workplace worked by welding iron. While working, they also watched the procession. The crowd gathered at the Miner's Monument sang the National Anthem after a moment of silence.

Speaking on behalf of the organizing committee at the celebrations, Yener Arslanbuğa said, "On the International Day of Unity, Struggle, and Solidarity of the working class and laborers, we are in the squares again in Zonguldak, as we are all over the world and our country. We are shouting our rightful demands. We are in the squares for equality, freedom, justice, peace, and democracy, and for the power of labor. We send our feelings of solidarity from here to our laboring brothers and sisters who celebrate the May 1st Labor and Solidarity Day of the world working class with enthusiasm. We are going through a very difficult period. There is blood and tears in the Middle East, Palestine, Gaza, and Syria. The Ukraine and Russia war has caused significant problems not only in our region but in the world."

Zonguldak Chamber of Mining Engineers Chair Erdoğan Bayrakçı also delivered a speech at the celebrations.

The celebrations ended after the speeches and poems.

Yozgat

An event was organized at Republic Square by the Hizmet-İş Yozgat Branch for May 1st Labor and Solidarity Day. Branch Chair Ferman Zararsız said in his press statement, "We shout once again that we are with our laborers who are on strike and have been struggling for their sweat and labor for months."

A group of workers who are members of the Hizmet-İş Union gathered at Republic Square with a banner reading May 1st in their hands.

The union's Yozgat Branch Chair Ferman Zararsız said in his press statement here, "Our laborers who work with all their might without giving up on their labor and sweat from our country and all over the world, our organization members in 81 provinces and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus with whom we walk shoulder to shoulder to defend the right of labor, today is the day of our sweat, our labor, our unity, and our solidarity. Happy May 1st International Day of Unity, Struggle, and Solidarity!"

"WE ARE IN THE SQUARES WITH A SINGLE VOICE, A SINGLE HEART"

Noting that they are in the squares to be the voice of laborers with international unity, struggle, and solidarity, Zararsız said the following:

"We commemorate with mercy, gratitude, and appreciation all our martyrs and veterans who served selflessly for the peace and security of our country and who shielded their lives for this cause. We also respectfully commemorate all our laborers who lost their lives as a result of work accidents and occupational diseases, and we wish urgent healing to our worker brothers and sisters who were injured and are experiencing occupational diseases. We are in the squares with enthusiasm and faith for our problems, suggestions, and demands. Today, on May 1st, we shout once again that we are with our laboring brothers and sisters who were unfairly dismissed in Van and Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipalities and have been resisting for their bread and rights in the action tent for 360 days, and our laborers who are on strike in Altındağ Municipality, Lezita, and Yolbulan and have been struggling for their sweat and labor for months. As Hak-İş, we condemn all interventions against trade union rights and freedoms, and we declare once again from here that we will continue our struggle with determination for the reinstatement of laborers who were forced to resign from the union and were dismissed. Turkey is moving forward with determined steps for a future without terror. Our country has entered a new and determined process in line with the goal of a Turkey cleared of terror. As the Hak-İş Confederation, we express our strong support for this process, which rejects all forms of terror and is based on national unity and solidarity. We are in the squares with a single voice, a single heart. We demand that the wages of all laborers be protected against inflation. We want the share that laborers and retirees receive from the national income to be increased."

Erzurum

In Erzurum, May 1st Labor and Solidarity Day was celebrated at Yakutiye City Square by unions affiliated with the Confederation of Turkish Trade Unions (TÜRK-İŞ).

In the celebration program where union members within TÜRK-İŞ gathered at Yakutiye City Square, laborers chanted slogans with the flags and banners they carried.

TÜRK-İŞ Erzurum Provincial Chair Yusuf Gökçan stated in his speech that they are in the squares with the power of labor for equality, freedom, justice, peace, and democracy, saying, "May 1st carries a great meaning for us beyond being a calendar day. May 1st is the historical symbol of labor, sweat, equality, freedom, and solidarity. May 1st is the day when we laborers unite and raise our voices against exploitation, injustice, precariousness, and poverty. May 1st is a day that the working class makes meaningful with the gains it has achieved through struggle, with its determination, and with its solidarity. We workers, as those who struggle for life with labor power regardless of language, religion, race, color, gender, or political thought, have come together here once again today to voice our common demands loudly. As it is here today, in other cities of our country and in many parts of the world, our friends, workers, and labor friends who share the same fate as us are in the squares with demands for rights and freedoms."

Niğde

In Niğde, May 1st Labor and Solidarity Day was celebrated with an event organized by the Birleşik Kamu-İş Confederation Niğde Provincial Representation.

The program, which took place at Ömer Halisdemir Square, was supported by some associations and foundations in addition to the unions affiliated with the confederation.

Eğitim İş Union Niğde Branch Chair Timur Özkan said the following in his speech;

"Protecting justice and law is more important than ever. We will grow our struggle even more against rising poverty, deepening income inequality, the obstruction of the rights of trade union organizations, the restriction of freedom of expression, and the ignoring of the demands of laborers. Today, millions of laborers, peasants, and retirees in Turkey have been condemned to live on low wages. Salaries melting against inflation, precarious working conditions, and the rising cost of living are dragging laborers into more poverty every day. Child labor has been legitimized, two million children who should be in school have been forced to struggle for life in workshops and under precarious working conditions, and many of our children have fallen victim to work-related homicides. All laborers are the biggest victims of this order. Whenever we demand an improvement in the welfare level of the people and an increase in the salaries of laborers, the answer is the same. There are no resources. This country does not have a resource problem. The resources are with the big shots to whom you sell capital upon capital through tenders. The resources are in the customer-guaranteed roads and airports that cause billions of dollars to come out of the people's pockets. The resources are in the millions of dollars spent on millions of refugees and illegal immigrants filled into our country. Elected political representatives, unionists, journalists, and students are a direct threat to the will of the people, the right to organize, and freedom of thought. This environment of pressure weakens democratic values, destroys the rule of law, and we wake up to a new illegality every day. The pressure, oppression, and blood that the days bring today are here. However, this will not go on like this, exploitation will not continue. A new life is coming. May 1st is the holiday of the worker and the laborer."

After the speeches, the crowd chanting slogans danced the halay accompanied by music.

Çanakkale

In Çanakkale, May 1st Labor and Solidarity Day was celebrated with a program at Republic Square.

Participants gathered at the old Tuesday Market area for the May 1st Labor and Solidarity Day events.

Participants began to gather in the area at 11:30 for the march. At 12:00, the participants reached Republic Square by following İnönü Street with banners in their hands. The celebrations, for which the police took extensive security measures, continued in the square. May 1st slogans were chanted by representatives of unions, non-governmental organizations, and political parties gathered in the square.

May 1st Labor and Solidarity Day celebrations ended with speeches.

Dersim 

In Dersim, representatives of some parties and non-governmental organizations gathered at Art Street.

Later, the participants, who formed a procession, marched to Kışla Square with the banners and signs in their hands.

Those who attended the event danced the halay accompanied by music in the square.

Malatya

In Malatya, May 1st Labor and Solidarity Day was celebrated with the participation of political parties and NGOs. The police took intense security measures during the celebrations.

In Malatya, a march and rally were held for May 1st Labor and Solidarity Day. Representatives of political parties and non-governmental organizations who participated in the march, which started at the Emeksiz lower junction, marched to Emeksiz Square, chanting slogans with various banners and posters in their hands.

The groups, which passed through police searches under intense security measures, celebrated May 1st with the program organized by the celebration committee there.

After the speeches, the crowd, who danced the halay accompanied by music, later left the area.