Nicosia, Cyprus. Workers and trade union members held their annual May Day march to the Ledra Palace hotel in Nicosia’s buffer zone, with marches starting from both sides of the divided capital.
The Greek Cypriot march began at Eleftheria Square, while the Turkish Cypriot march began at Kugulu Park in the northern part of the old town.
March routes from both sides of the capital
The Greek Cypriot march started from Eleftheria Square on the southern edge of Nicosia’s old town. The Turkish Cypriot march started from Kugulu Park, located in the moat of the old town’s walls on the northern side.
Statements by Peo leader Sotiroula Charalambous
At Eleftheria Square, Peo leader Sotiroula Charalambous linked the day’s march to global events, saying that “this year’s May Day finds workers and peoples in a new wave of intensifying United States aggression and escalating militarisation”.
She said, “The war against Iran is yet another episode in the blatant violation of the principles of international law by the US and its ally [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu. It follows the genocide against the Palestinian people, the kidnapping of the elected president of Venezuela, and the intensifying inhumane embargo against the people of Cuba.”
World federation of trade unions message
World federation of trade unions secretary-general Pambis Kyritsis also spoke at Eleftheria Square and offered support for “the workers of Cyprus in the militant struggles that we are witnessing in both communities”.
He said, “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 added that his federation “remains a steadfast supporter of the Cypriot people’s fight for a solution and reunification of our divided homeland within the framework of a bizonal, bicommunal federation, with one sovereignty, one citizenship, and one international personality, and with political equality”. Later, he said that “the weapon of the working class is solidarity and internationalism”.
Turkish Cypriot union statements and telecommunications issue
Turkish Cypriot trade unions also issued May Day statements, including Tel-Sen leader Hakan Uredi, who said, “we salute the sweat, organised strength, and solidarity of workers”.
Uredi also praised his union’s fight against a controversial deal which, if implemented, would give Turkish state-backed telecommunications company Turk Telekom exclusive rights to home broadband internet in the north.
What do you think the May Day marches from both sides of Nicosia signal about labour solidarity in Cyprus?