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Greek unions celebrated International Labour Day on May 1 with processions. Government representatives and SYRIZA members also took part in the procession meandering towards Syntagma Square in Athens. Earlier in the day, the All-Workers' Militant Front (PAME) held a rally on the same square.

Labour Minister Panos Skourletis said in his speech that the government’s ‘red lines’ remain dark red. He participated in the strike rally in Klafthmonos Square, one of the procession points.

Workers have suffered great afflictions during the last five years, the minister also said, and emphasised that today the government is fighting for workers' rights and minimum wage. And this fight is the best way to celebrate the workers' May Day, said Skourletis. He argued that the government sticks to its promises.

The Minister of Environment and Energy, Panagiotis Lafazanis, was also heading the procession. In Klafthmonos Square, Lafazanis said that struggle and resistance are this year's messages of the workers' May Day. He pointed out that Greece is negotiating hard, the people supports the Government, which observes its commitments, and the negotiations will be won.

The Alternate Social Insurance Minister, Dimitris Stratoulis, the Minister of Interior and Administrative Reform, Nikos Voutsis, the Attica governor, Rena Dourou, and Finance Minister Yannis Varoufakis also attended the rally.

Dimitris Koutsoubas: The breakup is the only way for the people

Breaking up with the EU and exiting from the memoranda was what the Communist Party secretary, Dimitris Koutsoubas, demanded at the PAME rally. He argued this was the only realistic, secure and hopeful way for the people. This is the path, which embodies the struggle for workers' wages, and for collective agreements, he said.

A message of unity by the president of the Central Union of Municipalities and Communities of Greece (KEDE), Giorgos Patoulis

While celebrating with hundreds of citizens in the central square of Maroussi, its mayor Giorgos Patoulis, appealed for unity and optimism. Along with his best wishes, he graced his audience with spring flowers.

Patoulis noted that this year's celebration coincides with a critical spell for Greece that will largely determine its development in the future. He pointed out that the Greeks need to unite more than ever, because it is in unity and confidence that they will be able to face their future in the European family where the country belongs.

Thessaloniki: processions for the holiday

The unions organised strike processions in Thessaloniki as well. The President of the city’s Labour Centre, Panagiotis Tsaramboulidis, said that there is still uncertainty, collective agreements are not voted into law, the minimum wage is still unregulated. He urged the government to keep its election promises. The rally was attended by SYRIZA MPs Despina Haralampidou, Giannis Amanatidis, Triandafilos Mitafidis, Alekos Triandafilidis and Sokratis Famelos.

The All-Workers' Militant Front (PAME) held their rally at the city’s Aristotelous Plaza by the statue of Eleftherios Venizelos, in the presence of Communist Party PM Sakis Vardalis and MEP Sotiris Zarianopoulos.

May Day saw celebrations in other Greek cities as well. In Ioannina, wreaths were laid at the monument of Stavros Kapas, executed on May 1, 1944, along with 199 of his comrades.

Unions and labour movements honoured the day in the Peloponnese in Kalamata, Sparti, Tripoli, Nafplio and Corinth. Workers appealed for the scrapping of memorandum policies and restoration of basic labour rights.

The rally in Tripoli was attended by SYRIZA MP Costas Zacharias. He declared that for SYRIZA the 1st of May has the special meaning of a promise to the Greek people. He vowed that the party would never take a single step back in its fight for workers’ rights, for the rejection of the Memorandum clauses and the resumption of collective bargaining, the minimum wage, and the 13th pension.

In Patras, May Day was marked by two separate processions. The mayor, Kostas Peletidis, stressed that there is no other solution than the citizens’ resistance and struggle.