DİSK-KESK-TMMOB-TTB’s May Day Declaration: “We Will Win!”

May Day Joint Statement: Emphasis on Democracy, Justice, and Labor Struggle

The joint declaration conveys a comprehensive message to strengthen democracy, justice, peace, and labor struggles in Turkey. The statement includes the following expressions:

 

• “When we win, democracy will win, justice will win, peace will win, brotherhood will win, labor will win, this country, this people will win!”

• A call was made to gather in squares all over Turkey and in Istanbul’s Kadıköy on May 1st.

• Trade unions and professional organizations announced that they will be in the squares to defend the rights of the working class, enhance labor struggles, and strengthen social solidarity.

The Importance of Labor and Struggle in Turkey: Statements from DİSK, KESK, TMMOB, and TTB

DİSK, KESK, TMMOB, and TTB emphasized in their statements the necessity of protecting workers' rights, strengthening the justice mechanism, and implementing economic reforms in Turkey.

Key Objectives of May Day

The fundamental goals of May 1st were listed as follows:

 

• Strengthening democracy and ensuring the impartial functioning of the justice system

• Protecting workers' rights and preventing precarious employment

• Increasing social solidarity and strengthening the organized struggle of workers

• Safeguarding social rights and promoting fair income distribution

Call for May Day Demonstrations: Let’s Gather in Kadıköy Square!

Trade unions and professional organizations issued a broad participation call for the events to be held in different cities in Turkey on May 1st. As part of these events:

 

• Massive and enthusiastic celebrations will take place in squares across Turkey.

• The Istanbul celebrations will be held at Kadıköy Square.

• Workers, students, retirees, and all laborers have been invited to participate in the May Day events.

The History of May Day: The Significance of Labor and Solidarity Day in Turkey

May 1st Labor and Solidarity Day is celebrated worldwide to defend the rights of the working class. The first May Day celebration in Turkey took place in 1911 in Thessaloniki, while the first event in Istanbul was held in 1912.

 

• May Day was removed as an official holiday following the 1980 coup but was reinstated as "Labor and Solidarity Day" in 2009.

• The working class and trade unions have been fighting for years to celebrate May 1st in a stronger and more organized way.

The Future of the Trade Union Movement and May Day: We Are in the Squares with the Slogan “We Will Win!”

DİSK, KESK, TMMOB, and TTB emphasized that May 1st is not just a celebration day but an opportunity to voice workers' demands and call for social change.

📢 This year, trade unions declared that they will be in the squares with the slogan “We Will Win” and invited all citizens, workers, and laborers to join the May Day events.