ATHENS—On the occasion of the 136th International Workers’ Day, or May Day, the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU)—representing over 105 million workers—issued a statement honoring the historic struggles of the working class and condemning the escalation of militarism, austerity, and exploitation faced by workers worldwide.
The WFTU celebrated its 80th anniversary this year. Founded in the aftermath of World War II to unite the international trade union movement against fascism and war, the federation once again reaffirmed its commitment to class struggle unionism, anti-fascism, peace, and the fight for workers’ democratic rights.
The WFTU’s statement paid tribute to the 1886 Chicago Haymarket martyrs whose fight for the eight-hour workday laid the foundation for International Workers’ Day—established in 1889 to commemorate the struggle and to build international working class solidarity.
“Both the messages and demands of the Chicago pioneers of 1886 and the needs that inevitably led to the establishment of the WFTU remain relevant and necessary today,” the federation said.
The statement highlighted the deepening crisis of capitalism, marked by growing social inequality, repression of labor and democratic rights, and the diversion of public resources towards militarization instead of workers’ needs.
“We demand measures against rising inflation and living costs that erode living standards. We oppose privatization, outsourcing, and flexible forms of work that intensify the precarious employment and exploitation, alongside extended retirement ages.”
The WFTU also condemned the ongoing genocide in Palestine, bombings in Lebanon, and broader imperialist aggression in the Middle East that is destabilizing the region. It condemned the staggering $2.46 trillion in international military spending, including NATO’s push for increased defense budgets and the EU’s €800 billion so-called “ReArm Europe” project.
“War economies serve only the profits of monopolies and imperialist powers,” the statement declared. “Workers and oppressed peoples bear the cost—through austerity, poverty, and repression.”
The WFTU called for a reallocation of resources from war to social needs—including adequate wages to combat inflation and rising living costs, public healthcare and education, safe and stable jobs, and trade union freedoms. For May Day, the federation called on trade unions and workers to rally under the following slogans;
“Their profits or Our lives – Hope lies in peoples’ struggle!”
- ΝΟ to war economies!
- YES to the class struggles!
- Against the imperialist wars and interventions!
- Against capitalist exploitation!
- For the satisfaction of the workers’ contemporary needs!
The full WFTU statement can be read here.
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