May 1st message from the Kemalist Enlightenment Association: Protecting the rights of labor is upholding the Republic

The Kemalist Enlightenment Association issued a written press statement on the occasion of May 1st Labor and Solidarity Day. Buket Müftüoğlu, Board Member and Press Spokesperson who delivered the statement on behalf of the association, stated that the founding philosophy of the Republic of Turkey was built upon the dignity of labor and social justice.

The statement pointed out that the Republic, founded under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, was a comprehensive transformation project aiming not only for political independence but also for economic sovereignty and social justice. It was expressed that in this understanding, labor is accepted as the fundamental element of development and independence.

Highlighting the İzmir Economic Congress, Kemalist Enlightenment Association Spokesperson Buket Müftüoğlu stated that the congress, which convened during the most challenging period of the War of Independence, demonstrated the economic and social dimensions of independence. It was recalled that the decisions taken at the congress included the adoption of the term "worker" (işçi) instead of "laborer" (amele), limiting the daily working hours to eight, the right to a weekly holiday, and regulations regarding worker health.

ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE IS POSSIBLE BY PROTECTING LABOR

In the association's statement, it was emphasized that the founding will of the Republic viewed labor not merely as an economic factor, but as the foundation of human dignity and social justice. While underlining that the worker is not a passive element but a founding power of the Republic, it was stated that political independence is possible through economic independence, and economic independence is possible through the protection of labor. Pointing out that May 1st is a symbol of sweat, production, and solidarity, the statement noted that a Turkey where labor finds the value it deserves, fair working conditions are provided, and prosperity is shared equally is among the fundamental goals of the Republic.

At the end of its statement, the Kemalist Enlightenment Association celebrated the May 1st Labor and Solidarity Day for all workers and laborers, reiterating the message: "Protecting the rights of labor is upholding the Republic."

The full text of the statement is as follows:

“The Republic of Turkey, founded under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, is not just a move for political independence; it is a deep-rooted civilization project that takes the dignity of labor as its basis and integrates production with social justice. In this understanding, labor has been accepted as the fundamental power that sustains the nation's independence and makes its development possible.

The İzmir Economic Congress, by convening during the War of Independence, before the Republic was even proclaimed and while the country was in great scarcity, demonstrated that independence could not be limited to military victory alone; it had to be completed with economic sovereignty and social justice. With the decisions taken at this congress; the adoption of the term “worker” instead of “laborer,” the limitation of working hours to eight, the recognition of the right to a weekly holiday, the implementation of regulations regarding worker health and social security, and the acceptance of May 1st as a holiday for workers have been clear indicators of the value given to labor.

The founding will of the Republic viewed labor not merely as an economic factor, but as the foundation of social justice and human dignity. For this reason, the worker is not a passive element of the Republic, but its founding power. The understanding that political independence is possible with economic independence, and economic independence with the protection of labor, continues to illuminate our path today.

Today, May 1st, as a symbol of sweat, production, and solidarity, is a day to remember the fundamental values of the Republic. A Turkey where labor finds the value it deserves, working conditions worthy of human dignity are provided, and social welfare is shared fairly is the unchanging goal of the Republic.

With this awareness, as the Kemalist Enlightenment Association, we celebrate the May 1st Labor and Solidarity Day of all workers and laborers who contribute to the development of our country with their labor.

Protecting the rights of labor is upholding the Republic.”

News Source: 12punto