Erdoğan Praises His Administration's Labor Policies on May Day

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan used the occasion of May 1st, Labor and Solidarity Day, to laud his administration's track record, asserting that his government has consistently stood by its "worker brothers and sisters." Speaking to a group of labor and employer representatives, Erdoğan declared that "no step will ever be taken against workers, laborers, and employees." He emphasized that the "labor of every brother and sister who produces in the factory, works in the field, toils in the workshop, and sweats in the office is the foundation of this country's rise."

“

No step will ever be taken against workers, laborers, and employees. Because your sweat is what truly makes this country a homeland. The labor of every brother and sister who produces in the factory, works in the field, toils in the workshop, and sweats in the office is the foundation of this country's rise.

Despite a history marked by numerous strike bans and rising poverty alongside declining unionization rates during his tenure, Erdoğan presented a contrasting narrative. He stated, "I want to especially express that I see May 1st as my own holiday." He claimed that "throughout our governments, which have left 23 years behind, we have always stood by our worker brothers and their representatives." According to Erdoğan, his government has "expanded union rights, removed obstacles to organization, strengthened the collective bargaining system, increased the bargaining power of our employees, implemented historic regulations in occupational health and safety, granted collective bargaining rights to our public officials, and strengthened the rights and freedoms of women, the disabled, and other sensitive groups in working life."

“

I want to especially express that I see May 1st as my own holiday.

Erdoğan further stressed that these actions were not unilateral, emphasizing consultation with worker representatives, unions, confederations, and professional organizations. He asserted that his government "never tolerated the rights of our worker brothers being violated for any reason." As an example, he cited the resolution of issues for miners who had protested due to unpaid wages. "I want to underline this once again today; we will never allow the rights of workers, laborers, and employees to be violated. Because your sweat is what truly makes this country a homeland. The labor of every brother and sister who produces value for this country and nation is the foundation of this country's rise. We will never allow the rights of workers like you, who earn a living by their labor and produce added value for their country and nation, to be violated. Our vision is clear: we want a working life that centers on people, exalts labor, and strengthens social justice to prevail in this country."

“

Throughout our governments, which have left 23 years behind, we have always stood by our worker brothers and their representatives.