Demonstrations and celebration events were held in many cities of European countries on the occasion of May 1 Labor and Solidarity Day.

In Greece, 1 May Labor and Solidarity Day was celebrated with broad participation.

With the call of the Confederation of Trade Unions (GSEE), the Confederation of Civil Servants Unions (ADEDY), and the Fighting Workers’ Front (PAME), thousands of people gathered in the center of the capital, Athens, to celebrate May 1.

Workers, civil servants, retirees and students, who met in different parts of the city center in the early hours of the morning, walked towards the parliament building in Syntagma Square.

Dimitris Kuçumbas, leader of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) and Nikos Andrulakis, leader of the Movement for Change (KINAL), drew attention to the high cost of living in the country in recent years.

AZIZ NESIN’S POETRY READ

In the action, the poem “Don’t Talk Too Much” by Aziz Nesin was read in its Greek translation.

It was also noteworthy that trade unionists from France, where nationwide demonstrations were held against the pension reform, participated in the protest in Athens.

In the capital, metro and tram workers went on strike for 24 hours within the scope of May 1, while bus workers stopped work at certain times during the day.

Due to the 24-hour strike organized by the seafarers, the ships remained anchored in the ports.

Activists, who came together in many cities of the country, especially Thessaloniki, Crete and Patra, on the occasion of May 1 Labor and Solidarity Day, expressed their demands for workers’ rights.

ENGLAND

Thousands of people in England gathered in Trafalgar Square, one of the city’s symbolic places, on the occasion of May 1 Labor and Solidarity Day.

Thousands of people gathered in different parts of the city in the morning hours and marched towards the square as a cortege.

The main march was formed here after the call of organizations such as the Railway, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT), the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), and the Equity union, which is affiliated with actors and artists, to gather in the Clerkenwell area of the city with the slogan “Everyone but the rich”.

The crowd marching to Trafalgar Square, which is about 3 kilometers from here, chanted slogans expressing fair working conditions, demands for a raise over inflation, and the cost of living.

In his speech in Trafalgar, RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said that May 1 is not just a workers’ day, but an important symbol for workers’ rights.

“Today we will speak out about inequality, better wages, better living conditions and a better world.” Lynch said that the democratic order is under attack.

Criticizing the government’s anti-employee policies, Lynch pointed to the banner that reads “Happy and Glorious” for King Charles III’s coronation over the National Gallery in the square, adding, “It is a shame that our people are not happy and glorious.” said.

Lynch also criticized the government’s anti-immigrant stance, saying, “They blame the poor people of the world for the current state of the country.” used the phrase.

Employees in many industries. Reminding that he went on strike, Lynch said that the strikes would continue “until the country completely changes”.

JUST STOP OIL GROUP TURNED TRAFFIC OFF

Equity General Secretary Paul Fleming stated in his speech that they have more than 40 thousand members from professional groups such as actors, street artists and animators, and said, “Like all unions, it is important for us to be strong and together for everyone to reach quality art. We believe that every artist should have a dignified working life.” he said.

Noting that the producers became billionaires and the artists struggled for better living conditions, Fleming said, “The money in the pocket of billionaires, the money people give to watch better broadcasts, the money they give to get better rail service, health care.” used the phrases.

Noting that they obtained many rights with the union initiative, Fleming said, “Today we are fighting together to protect our rights. The society we have now will be different tomorrow. That’s why we have to build a better world.” said.

In the morning, Tarfalgar Square witnessed the traffic closure of the Just Stop Oil group, known for their actions against fossil fuels.

The Just Stop Oil group of about 30 people, who blocked the Cockspur street around the square to traffic, blocked the road and was not allowed to march by the police.

The group continued their walk on the sidewalk after meeting with the police. The closed traffic was reopened after about 1 hour of interruption.

BULGARIA

Confederation of Independent Trade Unions (KNSB) and “Podkrepa” (Solidarity) Union organized concerts and marches in big cities on the occasion of May 1 Labor and Solidarity Day, which is an official holiday in Bulgaria.

KNSB blocked the traffic for a while at Kartallı Bridge Junction, one of the symbolic places of the city, at the end of the march organized in the capital Sofia with the slogan of “Unionization and Solidarity for Honorable Salary”

The Podkrepa (Solidarity) Union also organized a rock concert for the residents of Sofia after the march in the center of the capital.

The Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) also celebrated May 1 Labor and Solidarity Day as the “Feast of the Left Press”.

The pro-Russian BSP, which has 23 deputies in the 240-member parliament and carries out politics along the lines of the former Communist Party, traditionally organized political-musical events in Sofia and the country’s major cities.

BSP leader Korneliya Ninova, speaking at the party’s rally in Sofia’s Borisova Gradina Park, said: “We are fighting for better working conditions. Bulgaria is the European country with the lowest minimum and average wages. At the same time, we are the country with the highest death rate and occupational accident rate in Europe.” said.

SPAIN

In Spain, workers marched this year demanding a “salary increase” in demonstrations held across the country on the occasion of May 1 Labor and Solidarity Day, which has not gone beyond a symbolic meaning in recent years.

The slogan of “reducing prices, increasing wages and sharing profits” was put forward in the 1 May demonstrations held in 73 cities with the organization of the country’s two largest labor unions, the General Union of Employees (UGT) and the Confederation of Trade Unions (CCOO).

In the manifesto prepared for May 1, “We need reasonable wages that grow at parameters equivalent to inflation and guarantee purchasing power. For this, the wage guarantee clause is a must.” it was said.

Compared to previous years, 6 ministers from the left coalition government participated in the May Day demonstrations, which lost their social and political influence and took the form of celebration, and supported the workers.

In addition to being the second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Labor, Yolanda Diaz, who is also the leader of the newly formed “Sumar” party with the participation of left-wing small parties, criticized the fact that the wage hike for workers remained at 2.56 percent despite the inflation reaching up to 10.4 percent.

UGT and CCOO leaders, who participated in the demonstration in Madrid, reminded the negotiations with the Spanish Confederation of Employers’ Organizations (CEO), which have been carried out for about a year with the demand for a salary increase and which did not yield any positive results, and said, “There will either be an agreement on increasing salaries or in many European countries. The workers will go to the squares and go on a general strike as it is.” warned.

According to the latest official data in Spain, as of March 2023, there are 3 million 127 thousand 999 unemployed people in the country with a rate of 13.27 percent.

According to the data of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Spain is one of the countries where the purchasing power has decreased due to inflation in 2022 and in many cases the salary increases due to the tax burden have disappeared.

In a study published in the country, it was stated that 1 out of every 8 working people make a living with a gross annual income of less than 10 thousand euros, and it was stated that despite the improvement in employment, 2.5 million workers live below the poverty line with the effect of high inflation.

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

In Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, members of the Trade Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina gathered in front of the parliament building on May 1, Labor and Solidarity Day.

Workers demanded improvement of their salaries and amendments to the law in this regard.

The crowd, who called for some changes in the internal trade law of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, one of the two entities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, invited the deputies to work.

The workers, who complained about the political instability in the country, issued a statement saying that many problems could not be solved because of this and that their standards were declining.

The declaration included articles on increasing the minimum wage, making changes in the law on income tax and contributions.

KOSVA

A demonstration was held in Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, on the occasion of May 1 Labor and Solidarity Day.

In the demonstration, attended by about 100 people, banners reading “Workers work, bosses win” and “Down with the patriarchal/capitalist state” were unfurled.

Pointing out the difficult working conditions of private sector workers in Kosovo, one of the organizers of the show, Bjeshka Guri, said, “Overtime work, no contract, minimum wage of 170 euros, unsafe workplaces, deaths, harassment, sexual crimes are not symptoms of a badly managed system, on the contrary, inequality against the working class. They are part of a well-designed system that is perpetuated by oppression and violence.” used the phrases.

While the demonstrators marching to the labor inspectorate building chanted “Freedom, equality, solidarity” in unison, they threw black and red smoke bombs at the building.

In Kosovo, where May 1 is considered an official holiday, people flocked to picnic areas and touristic areas this year, as every year. The city of Prizren in the south of the country was filled with tourists from the Balkans for a day trip.

GERMANY

Marches and events were held in various cities of Germany on the occasion of May 1 Labor and Solidarity Day.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, in a speech delivered by the German Trade Union Union (DGB) in the city of Koblenz, reiterated that they stand by Ukraine so that it can defend its freedom and territorial integrity, and said that the borders should not be changed by using violence.

Referring to the Kovid-19 epidemic, Scholz stated that the pandemic is over and explained that the difficulties brought by the epidemic were overcome in solidarity.

Stating that they are in a special economic situation, Prime Minister Scholz noted that Germany will not have to struggle with unemployment for many years, perhaps more than ten years.

Stating that companies should find sufficient qualified personnel in the future, Scholz said, “Some say that the shortage of workers is a big problem of the future. I want to tell those who are concerned that we have prescriptions for what can be done about it.” said.

Stating that more vocational training should be given to reduce the problem of skilled workers, Scholz called on companies to offer vocational training to young people.

According to the news of the German News Agency, it was stated that some people who attended the event booed and whistled Scholz.

While the central celebration of the DGB on May 1 Labor and Solidarity Day was held in Cologne, events were held in other states as well.

A march was held in the capital Berlin on May 1, Labor and Solidarity Day, with the slogan “Uninterrupted Solidarity”.

German News Agency DPA reported that extreme left groups threw smoke bombs at a demonstration in Stuttgart, and the police used tear gas and batons against the demonstrators.

ITALY

In Italy, the country’s leading labor unions, the Italian General Confederation of Labor (CGIL), the Italian Workers’ Union (UIL) and the Italian Confederation of Workers’ Union (CSIL), held their traditional May Day marches and rallies in the city of Potenza in the south of the country.

At the rally, referring to the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution in Italy, the importance of working life was emphasized on the article “Italy is a democratic republic founded on work”.

In the speeches at the rally, it was emphasized that working and business life should be in a central position.

Activities such as marches, rallies and concerts were held in different cities of the country on the occasion of May 1.

Meanwhile, the council of ministers, chaired by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, convened privately on May 1, and approved a package that envisions temporary tax reductions on labor costs and includes support for working families. Unions, on the other hand, criticized the temporary nature of the regulations in this package of the government.

SWITZERLAND

Unions across Switzerland took to the streets on the occasion of May 1, Labor and Solidarity Day.

This year, the Swiss Trade Union Federation said, “More wages. More retirement. Equality now!” It organizes demonstrations in 50 different places with its slogan. Other labor unions across the country also took to the streets on May 1st.

It was reported that there was tension between the police and the demonstrators during the demonstration in the city of Basel. It was noted that the situation was tense after the police insisted on identity checks of masked people.

In their speeches, union leaders warned that problems with purchasing power would worsen. It was also mentioned that the fact that many employers do not want to adjust wages according to inflation is a big problem for employees.

CROATIA

An action was also held in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, on May 1, Labor and Solidarity Day.

In Zagreb, workers carrying banners and banners that read “May 1 is a day of resistance, not a day of rest” marched to demand a “salary increase”.

Expressing that Croatia is one of the countries with the lowest wages in the European Union (EU), the activists chanted “May 1 is the day of resistance, not the day to eat dried beans”.

On the other hand, free dry beans were distributed in Maksimir Park in Zagreb as part of May 1 Labor and Solidarity Day.

BELGIUM

The Labor Party demonstrated against the high tax rates in the country.

The crowd gathered in Anneessens Square at 12:30 local time, passed through the main streets of the city and ended their march in Albertin Square near the central train station.

As part of another demonstration, a group marched from Poelaert Square to various streets of the city at 11.30 am towards the FGTB-ABVV union’s May Day festivities in Mont des Arts.

Concerts, discussions on social issues and animations for children were held here.

Finally, another group, departing from Saint-Gilles at 15.00, started the march, passing through many roads that were closed to traffic.

The group, which will set up a bazaar at the point they arrive, will organize various cultural events, including a book fair.

The Socialist Party is also organizing a festival for children in front of the Bronks Youth Theater.

POLAND AND FINLAND

In Warsaw, the capital of Poland, the Left and the National Union of Trade Unions organized a march with the slogan “Honourable work – dignified life”

The New Left Party’s statement, “The most important proposition of the Polish left is to be a welfare state.” used the phrase.

Stating that the government should support its citizens in difficult times, Czarzasty said, “I want to say to all right-wing parties and especially liberals: You never respect the state, you always think that we will all manage in one way or another. In the politics of every country, every nation, there are moments when things go wrong entrepreneurs cannot cope without government institutions, when things go bad people cannot cope without government institutions.” he said.

Slogans were chanted and speeches were made about high inflation and current salaries during the march.

In Finland, on the other hand, May 1 was spent with festivals organized mostly due to the arrival of spring. No violence was observed in the events where politicians gave speeches and students sang songs.

In the news of Helsingin Sanomat, broadcasting in Finland, regarding May 1, “Today, May 1 in Finland is primarily a celebration of the beginning of spring, but a day when the working class marches in the world mainly for their purposes.” expression was used.