UPDATES WITH REMARKS FROM MORE OFFICIALS, MINOR EDITS
By Sena Guler and Dilan Pamuk
ANKARA (AA) – Turkey’s president and top officials on Saturday marked Labor and Solidarity Day.
“I congratulate my fellow workers, who make our country grow while breaking a sweat, on May 1 Labor and Solidarity Day,” President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Twitter, sharing the link of his message marking the day issued on Friday.
Vice President Fuat Oktay also took to Twitter to greet workers and laborers who “make the greatest contribution to the growth and development of our country.”
Communications Director Fahrettin Altun said: “We have been with our fellow workers with all our strength until today and we will continue to stand by them from now on.”
In a Twitter post, Mevlut Cavusoglu, Turkey's foreign minister, said: "I congratulate all of our laborers who work constantly to add value to our country and pursue their livelihood with their hard work."
Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu marked the day with a message.
“We congratulate all our workers who add value to this country with their efforts,” Soylu said.
Turkey's Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gul celebrated the day wishing a "Happy Labor and Solidarity Day".
Derya Yanik, the family, labor and social services minister, applauded the Turkish citizens "who have contributed to the growth and development of our country."
National Education Minister Ziya Selcuk wrote on Twitter: "I wholeheartedly congratulate the Labor Day to everyone … who enjoy their labor and dignity side by side."
Health Minister Fahrettin Koca also marked the day, saying: "On May 1 Labor and Solidarity Day, I congratulate all of my laborer fellows, especially our healthcare professionals who work devotedly and honestly."
May Day or International Workers' Day first emerged as an event commemorating the labor of workers worldwide on May 1, 1886, when a group of workers in the US held a massive strike for an eight-hour workday.
Turkey’s first official May Day celebrations were held in 1923.
As a public health measure to fight the virus, Turkey started a complete lockdown starting Thursday evening and lasting until May 17.
The lockdown will cover the remainder of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, as well as three days of the Eid al-Fitr holiday.
