Marching Together for Unity and Workers’ Rights
In a significant display of solidarity, the streets of Nicosia were filled with the spirit of unity and advocacy for workers’ rights during a bicommunal event on Labor Day. Participants gathered at Eleftheria Square before embarking on a march that symbolized much more than the commemoration of International Workers’ Day. The event, jointly organized by the PEO and Turkish Cypriot trade union organizations, brought together individuals from both communities in a powerful statement for the reunification of Cyprus.
The morning air buzzed with anticipation as leaders from both sides, including AKEL Secretary General Stefanos Stefanou and PEO Secretary General Sotiroula Charalambous, addressed the crowd with messages of hope and determination. Their words set the tone for a day that was about bridging divides and standing united in the face of common challenges.
The march proceeded towards the buffer zone stadium, with the ranks swelling as Turkish Cypriot trade unions such as DEV-İŞ, KTAMS, KTÖS, KTOEÖS, BES, KOOP-SEN, and DAÜ-SEN joined in. The collective movement of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots side by side was a poignant image of the day’s theme: unity.
Charalambous emphasized the shared struggles of workers across the divide, stating, “We do not accept division.” She highlighted the ongoing battle for better living conditions for workers, pensioners, vulnerable groups, and the youth. The call for increased real wages and institutional measures to ensure employers adhere to agreed employment conditions resonated with the participants.
The PEO Secretary-General also pointed out the resistance from employers’ associations regarding the renewal of Collective Labor Agreements. She criticized their refusal to implement basic terms of contracts across sectors, labeling it as a threat to the country’s industrial relations system. Charalambous urged the government to take a definitive stance on this pressing issue.
As the march concluded with an artistic program in the Ledra Palace area, the message was clear: the people will not remain passive in the face of attempts to undermine regulated employment conditions. The event not only celebrated Labor Day but also served as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to support workers’ rights and the cause of reunification in Cyprus, alongside solidarity with Palestine.
