FOR THE HAPPY DAYS OF MY HOMELAND…
1 May unity, struggle, solidarity
Our Confederation DİSK has started to work for the unity, struggle and solidarity day of the working class on 1 May 2023.
For this purpose, a leaflet and posters in three different colours were prepared. While the banner started to decorate the streets, widespread distribution of leaflets accompanied by press statements in various cities was carried out. Poster and leaflet samples were made available on the website of DISK.
In the leaflet, workers, labourers, pensioners, women and young people were addressed;
“We are in the squares on 1 May Unity, Struggle and Solidarity Day for the happy days of my country.”
The call was made.
This year, as in previous years, DISK initiated a joint work with other labour and professional organisations in order to implement May Day in accordance with its essence.
On 12 April 2023, a press conference was held at the DISK Headquarters to introduce the leaflets and posters prepared jointly with the Confederation of Public Employees’ Trade Unions (KESK), the Turkish Medical Association (TTB), the Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB) and the Union of Turkish Dentists (TDB).
Together with 1 May 2023 components, leaflets were distributed in various places in Istanbul on 18 and 20 April 2023.
The 1 May 2023 declaration prepared by DISK is presented below:
We, the workers, labourers, pensioners, women and youth, meet in the squares on 1 May.
We are in the squares on 1 May Unity, Struggle and Solidarity Day for the “happy days of my country”.
The fact that workers, labourers, pensioners and low-income earners have suffered in the last five years alone is obvious:
- Inflation has jumped from 15 per cent to 51 per cent even with official figures. We have all become poorer.
- Food inflation rose from 19 per cent to 68 per cent. All of us have seen our bread shrink.
3 million new unemployed were added to 5.5 million unemployed. There is now an unemployed person in every house. - Labour’s share of national income fell from 38 percent to 25 percent. Income injustice has grown.
- Capital’s share of national income rose from 44 per cent to 57 per cent.
- While millions became poorer, a handful of rich became richer.
But this will not go on like this!
To 1 May against this unjust system that takes from the workers and gives to the bosses, steals from the poor and fills the coffers of the rich, takes from the low-income and transfers resources to rentiers!
To 1 May against the oppressive order that prevents us from being unionised, bans our strikes, prevents us from asking for our rights, and stands on the doorstep of anyone who speaks out!
May Day against the capitalist order that impoverishes workers for more profit, that drowns cities and nature in concrete for rent!
May Day against this corrupt order that turns natural disasters into disasters and turns even centuries-old aid organisations into tent sellers in earthquakes!
To 1 May for the Turkey of labour against the mentality that manages the country like a company!
To 1 May for our rights, to live humanely, to work humanely, for a secure job, for a secure future!
We will change this order that leaves our bread at the mercy of the bosses, our cities and nature to the plunder of rentiers, and our rights to the pleasure of a single person!
For the happy days of my country
Let’s go to 1 May!