Cyprus Celebrates Labour Day in Style!

Cyprus is marking Labour Day today, May 1st, with celebrations taking place across the island. Trade unions are organizing rallies and events in major cities, calling for workers' rights and greater social justice.

Main Events in the Capital:

• In Nicosia, the major trade unions PEO and SEK are leading the celebrations.

• At 11:00 a.m., a wreath-laying ceremony was held at the Monument to Labour, Social and National Struggles, located in the courtyard of the SEK building.

• The central event kicked off at 11:15 a.m. at the “Markos Drakos” hall, where speeches were delivered by Minister of Labour Yiannis Panayiotou and Andreas Matsas, General Secretary of the Greek Confederation of Labour.

What’s Still to Come:

• PEO’s main event will take place at 5:00 p.m. in Eleftheria Square, featuring speeches from PEO Secretary General Sotiroula Charalambous and AKEL Secretary General Stefanos Stefanou.

• Afterward, a joint march will be held with Turkish Cypriot trade unions, starting from the Ledra Palace area in the buffer zone. The march will also feature a cultural program.

As announced earlier, trade unions from both communities are coming together under the shared slogan: “Shoulder to Shoulder for Peace and Social Justice.”

Celebrations Across Cyprus:

• Larnaca: PEO’s events began at 9:30 a.m. with a gathering at the union building. A march followed, leading to Finikoudes Square, where a public assembly took place at 11:30 a.m., including speeches and cultural performances.

• Limassol: At 10:00 a.m., PEO members and supporters gathered at the union's headquarters and marched to Enaerios Square for a rally.

• Paphos: A rally was held at 10:00 a.m., followed by a march through the town’s main streets. The event featured both speeches and artistic performances.

• Famagusta Region: At 6:00 p.m., the People’s Movement of Famagusta will hold an event at Ayia Napa Square, featuring a speech, cultural program, and a symbolic march to the Ayia Napa harbour.