Memur-Sen Gathers in Ankara for May Day: A United Call for Justice, Labour, and Solidarity

On the occasion of International Workers’ Day, the Confederation of Public Servants Trade Unions (Memur-Sen) mobilized thousands of members and supporters at Anıtpark in Ankara under the rallying cry: “Rights, Labour, and Justice for a Decent Life – Long Live May Day!” The event served as a powerful platform to voice demands for social justice, labour rights, and structural reform in public service, while also expressing solidarity with oppressed peoples around the world.

Addressing the crowd, Memur-Sen President Ali Yalçın spoke forcefully on issues ranging from global injustice and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza to rising living costs and long-standing problems within Turkey’s public personnel system. “May Day is not only a celebration of labour,” Yalçın said, “it is a declaration against exploitation, against global disorder, and in defence of human dignity.”

“The World Is Greater Than Five, Labour Is Greater Than Capital”

In his opening remarks, President Yalçın quoted Turkish poet Erdem Bayazıt, dedicating his speech to the memory of Memur-Sen’s founding president, Mehmet Akif İnan. He emphasized that May Day is a day of unity, resistance, and global solidarity: “Today we stand against imperialism, against capitalism’s exploitation of labour, and against those who seek to destroy families and communities. We say ‘no’ to injustice in income distribution, ‘no’ to precarious work, and ‘yes’ to secure employment, fair taxation, and decent working conditions for all.”

Yalçın also condemned the silence of the international community in the face of ongoing atrocities in Gaza, Yemen, East Turkestan, and elsewhere.

A Call to Protect Families and Social Values

Reinforcing the union’s social commitment, Yalçın highlighted the growing disparity in global wealth and reaffirmed Memur-Sen’s efforts to promote family values and social cohesion in Turkey.

He urged the government to enact stronger protections for families, including constitutional recognition of marriage as a union between a man and a woman, meaningful family and childcare benefits, extended parental leave, and a shift toward family-friendly tax policies.

Addressing the Cost-of-Living Crisis

Yalçın drew attention to the worsening financial burdens on public employees: “Rising rents, childcare expenses, and education costs are pushing workers into survival mode. Public employees are not seeking luxuries—they are trying to live with dignity.”

He presented a comprehensive list of demands including inflation control, relief from excessive taxes, and stronger purchasing power through fair policies.

Reforming Collective Bargaining and Labour Law

Yalçın criticized the current collective bargaining system for lacking credibility and legal enforcement. He called for urgent amendments to Law No. 4688, emphasizing that union negotiations must be formally documented and legally binding.

Structural Reform in Public Employment

Yalçın reiterated Memur-Sen’s call for permanent employment, elimination of unfair interview practices, correction of salary scales, and new laws to support engineers, academics, and public sector workers.

He concluded with a strong message of hope, emphasizing past victories such as ending the headscarf ban and securing rights for contract workers.

Uslu: “Together, We Have Solved the Impossible”

Memur-Sen Vice President and President of Bem-Bir-Sen Levent Uslu praised the organization’s unity and strength. He expressed confidence in the union’s ability to tackle both national and international challenges through collective will and determination.