Erdoğan, Davutoğlu hail non-violent Labor Day
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu congratulated Labor and Solidarity Day organizers in their statements yesterday and hailed the dominance of peace at the rallies, where violence formerly overshadowed unions' demands related to workers.
In a written statement, Erdoğan said May 1 has been observed as a day of unity, solidarity and perseverance by workers and laborers across the world against unfair treatment. "The democratic and peaceful stance laborers and workers pursue while raising their voice for their rights is important for the advancement of democracy," he said. Erdoğan, who preceded Davutoğlu as prime minister, said the solution of workers and laborers' problems and improving work conditions and their living standards have always been his priority, both in his tenure as prime minister and during his presidency.
"I believe the current problems the labor force faces can be resolved through dialogue between laborers, unions, employers and nongovernmental organizations. Dialogue will work to speed up addressing the needs of workers," he said. Erdoğan added that his wish for the day was for it to be observed "as a festival free of provocations where peace and a sense of brotherhood prevail."
Davutoğlu hosted a group of workers at a breakfast at the Prime Ministry on the day. He applauded the yearly occasion and expressed his gratitude to "all workers contributing to Turkey's development." Davutoğlu said he was also pleased that Labor Day has become a festival of labor and spring unlike "past painful years."
The prime minister held talks with representatives from a number of unions a few days before Labor Day. Citing this meeting, Davutoğlu said they discussed ways to address the demands of laborers and workers. "Laborers and workers deserve the most respect in this country, and our government exerts efforts to fulfill the pledges we gave to them, to serve them," he said.
Davutoğlu also extended thanks to unions for marking the day in areas designated by authorities. "I hope this will be the beginning of a fine tradition and May Day will not be a day anymore when people are afraid of going out, when tensions run high and clashes break out. I hope May Day will be a day when laborers convene and awareness of labor and solidarity prevail," he said.
He added that the government managed to fulfill its November election pledges to workers. "We raised the [monthly] minimum wage to TL 1,300 [$465] and solved the problems of workers for subcontractors as we pledged," Davutoğlu said, referring to employment of subcontracted workers in public agencies - who were subject to random dismissals and were paid low wages - as civil servants.
In a written statement, Erdoğan said May 1 has been observed as a day of unity, solidarity and perseverance by workers and laborers across the world against unfair treatment. "The democratic and peaceful stance laborers and workers pursue while raising their voice for their rights is important for the advancement of democracy," he said. Erdoğan, who preceded Davutoğlu as prime minister, said the solution of workers and laborers' problems and improving work conditions and their living standards have always been his priority, both in his tenure as prime minister and during his presidency.
"I believe the current problems the labor force faces can be resolved through dialogue between laborers, unions, employers and nongovernmental organizations. Dialogue will work to speed up addressing the needs of workers," he said. Erdoğan added that his wish for the day was for it to be observed "as a festival free of provocations where peace and a sense of brotherhood prevail."
Davutoğlu hosted a group of workers at a breakfast at the Prime Ministry on the day. He applauded the yearly occasion and expressed his gratitude to "all workers contributing to Turkey's development." Davutoğlu said he was also pleased that Labor Day has become a festival of labor and spring unlike "past painful years."
The prime minister held talks with representatives from a number of unions a few days before Labor Day. Citing this meeting, Davutoğlu said they discussed ways to address the demands of laborers and workers. "Laborers and workers deserve the most respect in this country, and our government exerts efforts to fulfill the pledges we gave to them, to serve them," he said.
Davutoğlu also extended thanks to unions for marking the day in areas designated by authorities. "I hope this will be the beginning of a fine tradition and May Day will not be a day anymore when people are afraid of going out, when tensions run high and clashes break out. I hope May Day will be a day when laborers convene and awareness of labor and solidarity prevail," he said.
He added that the government managed to fulfill its November election pledges to workers. "We raised the [monthly] minimum wage to TL 1,300 [$465] and solved the problems of workers for subcontractors as we pledged," Davutoğlu said, referring to employment of subcontracted workers in public agencies - who were subject to random dismissals and were paid low wages - as civil servants.
Last Update: May 01, 2016 22:11