Speaking at a May Day rally at Eleftheria square in Nicosia on Thursday, Akel General Secretary Stefanos Stefanou outlined the party’s demands for workers’ rights, calling for the extension of collective agreements, the full reinstatement of the cost-of-living allowance (CoLA) for all private-sector employees, an increase in the minimum wage, safer workplaces, and protection from the rising cost of living.

He also urged an end to what he described as the government’s exploitative taxation policies.

Marking 139 years since the first May Day in Chicago and a century since Cyprus’s first May Day celebration, Stefanou said the message remains clear: “Nothing has ever been handed to workers. Rights and benefits were won through collective, organised, and often bloody struggle. This historical truth is more relevant than ever.”

He criticised what he called an era of global corporate dominance, accusing many governments of working on behalf of big capital to roll back long-fought labour achievements. “That is why May Day is not only a day of remembrance and honour, but one of renewal and intensification of the struggle – for dignity, for rights at work and in life, for justice and progress.”

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Stefanou reaffirmed Akel’s alignment with the Pancyprian Federation of Labour (Peo), saying the party remains a firm defender of workers and society. “Together with the class-based trade union movement of Peo, we demand the extension of collective agreements, CoLA for all private-sector employees to restore the purchasing power of wages, a higher minimum wage, safe and healthy workplaces, real protection against inflation, and an end to the government’s tax-heavy policies that hurt society.”

He accused the government of ignoring social hardship and celebrating economic indicators that do not reflect people’s real lives. “They don’t see the anxiety of households wondering if they’ll make it to the end of the month, or the despair of young people who can’t afford a home or a family. They don’t care if electricity, fuel and loan repayments are unaffordable. These aren’t their problems – even if it’s their responsibility to fix them.”

While the economy is growing, Stefanou said, its benefits are not reaching society. “Growth is for the few and privileged. That’s the problem. Akel will keep fighting for ordinary people. We will continue to push for stronger social policies, for support for small businesses, pensioners, youth, and vulnerable groups. Our pressure is already delivering results.”

He warned President Christodoulides’ government not to expect silence. “We won’t sit quietly. We will remain the voice of the wronged, the overburdened, the victims of anti-worker policies, and those suffering from rising prices and government indifference.”

Calling for a broad social alliance, Stefanou urged the public to “stand with us to shape our own future, to keep fighting and winning for workers, for society and for our Cyprus.”

He also highlighted the symbolic meeting between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot unions at the Ledra Palace crossing, saying this represented their shared vision for a peaceful, united and prosperous homeland. “We are convinced that peace in Cyprus cannot be prevented – and we will make it happen.”

He ended with a message of solidarity with Turkish Cypriots defending their identity under pressure from Ankara, and with people resisting injustice globally – especially the Palestinian people. Stefanou condemned the government’s close ties with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing it of offering “shameful and immoral support” to a “war criminal.”

“How can this government credibly condemn Turkey’s invasion and occupation of Cyprus when it embraces someone accused of war crimes?” he asked.

“One hundred years since ‘Long Live May Day’ was first heard in Cyprus, we continue the struggle. We persist. We fight. We win – for Cyprus and its people, for workers and society. Long live International Workers’ Day,” Stefanou concluded.