Cypriot Trade Unions to Unite in the Buffer Zone on Labour Day to Call for Social Justice

On May 1st, trade unions from both Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities will come together in the UN buffer zone in Nicosia for a bi-communal Labour Day event under the slogan “Shoulder to Shoulder for Peace and Social Justice.”

In a joint declaration, the unions and civil society organizations expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people and called for the resumption of peace talks in Cyprus, picking up from where they left off in Crans-Montana.

The announcement was made during a press conference held at the Home for Cooperation in the buffer zone, with representatives from trade unions and NGOs in attendance. The Turkish version of the joint statement was read by Burak Maviş, Secretary General of the Cyprus Turkish Teachers’ Union (KTÖS), while the Greek version was delivered by Sotirilla Charalambous, Secretary General of PEO.

On the day of the event, Greek Cypriot participants will gather at Eleftheria Square at 5:00 PM. After speeches, they will march toward the buffer zone. Turkish Cypriot participants will meet at Kuğulu Park in the TRNC at 5:30 PM, and proceed to the buffer zone at 6:30 PM, where the two communities will unite.

The event will feature speeches about the significance of Labour Day, followed by a concert with performances by İzel Seylani and Giorgos Kaloryou.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of Labour Day celebrations in Cyprus. In their statement, the unions emphasized that workers around the world continue to bear the brunt of a deepening capitalist crisis, rising living costs, and inflation.

They also reaffirmed their support for the Palestinian people, condemning what they described as the Israeli genocide, and backing Palestine’s right to an independent state.

“At a time when imperialist powers continue to spill blood, when fascism and nationalism are re-emerging, and when voices promoting division are growing louder, we stand united — for class solidarity and a shared struggle between Greek and Turkish Cypriot workers,” the statement reads.

The following organizations signed the joint declaration: KOOP-SEN, EMU-SEN, KTOEÖS, KTÖS, DEV-İŞ, BES, KTAMS, and PEO.