May Day to be held in Istanbul’s Bakırköy, minister says

ISTANBUL

DHA photo

Unions and the government have agreed to hold May 1 International Workers’ Day celebrations in Istanbul’s Bakırköy district, Labor and Social Security Minister Süleyman Soylu said April 26.

Soylu said a delegation would visit Taksim to commemorate protesters murdered in the square in 1977 but the rally would be held in the Bakırköy bazaar area.

“As four labor and profession organizations which take the primary duty of holding May 1 celebrations in which we powerfully shout out the demands of workers, laborers and all oppressed in a secure way, we have decided to hold celebrations in Istanbul Bakırköy Bazaar this year,” Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions (DİSK) head Kani Beko said.

The union had previously insisted on holding May 1 celebrations in Istanbul’s Taksim Square, but the Istanbul Governor’s Office refused the request to hold celebrations in the square.

Although recognized as an official holiday, May Day celebrations have not been permitted in Taksim Square since 2012.