May Day, Union, Struggle and Solidarity Workers' Day is being celebrated with various events in Istanbul.

Speaking to the ANF, the Health and Social Workers' Union (SES) co-chair Çağla Oflas, from the anti-capitalists, said that the burden of this process was placed on the back of the working people and that a complete hypocrisy was exposed.

Oflas said: "Meetings are prohibited, but people are working. Even during lockdown, workers are working side-by-side with special permits from the governorships. When it comes to 1 May, however, we see how the coronavirus pandemic is used as an opportunity. We have seen how rotten the capitalist system is. It is clear that this system survives thanks to the laborers. This system, from grocery workers to cargo workers, remains standing only thanks to the workers. I hope 1 May will mark an important stage in knitting anger."

Domestic workers most affected by coronavirus

Gülhan Benli, from the Domestic Workers Solidarity Union, pointed out that 1 May is the only day for domestic workers to express their own demands. "We received information that two of our friends proved positive to coronavirus. This process has impacted most of our domestic workers, because they have to continue to work. We will announce our demands again on 1 May through a video which we have prepared from our own homes and places where we work."

Health workers will celebrate 1 May at 12 pm

SES co-chair Gönül Erden said that they are saddened by the fact that they cannot hold mass celebrations this year. Erden noted that the laborers will celebrate 1 May wherever they are and added: "We will turn the windows, balconies, streets of our houses, and the places where we work, into a 1 May celebration area and will list our demands. We will continue to struggle, and show solidarity and organization with the same determination for our rights and demands. Today is a day of resistance. Health workers have to work but we will celebrate 1 May at 12 pm."

Journalists will continue to write the demands of workers 

Dicle Fırat Journalists Association Spokesperson, Dicle Müftüoğlu, said that tens of journalists are spending 1 May in prison and that the current process is a very difficult one.

Pointing out that dozens of journalists have to be on the street even in the days of the coronavirus pandemic due to their profession, Müftüoğlu added: "We are writing news to announce the demands of the workers. Wherever we are on this 1 May, we will both express the difficulties of journalists and raise our voices demanding the release of the imprisoned journalists."