This online article was published on Facebook by afoa on 01/05/26.

WAR ON THEIR PROFITS – PEACE FOR THE PEOPLE

Announcement of afoa community of struggle for the Labour Day 2026

The richest 10% of people in Cyprus hold 67% of the country’s total wealth. The rich control the government, the media, and the justice system; they enjoy tax exemptions and are steeped in corruption. Meanwhile, we – the working class – face high prices at supermarkets, bakeries and gas stations, unaffordable rents and high mortgage interest rates, foreclosures, low wages, insecurity and overtime at work.

We who work in hospitals, schools, food services, tourism, construction, transport and agricultural units are working more and more, with increasing intensity, while our standard of living keeps deteriorating. At the same time, those who hold wealth and power – big business owners, bankers, the church, mafias, developers and politicians – grow richer from our labour.

Alongside all these problems, we are also confronted with humanity’s slide into a new global war landscape, with the active participation – unfortunately – of the government of the Republic of Cyprus. The US’ war against Iran and Israel’s expansionist ambitions in the region confirm the necessity of war for the survival of predatory capitalism. It is outrageous that imperialist states spend billions daily on wars that have no legitimacy at all, while at the same time they count pennies when it comes to providing basic healthcare, social welfare and education.

Fully aligned with the US and Israel, the Republic of Cyprus is directly affected by developments in the region. This is evident both in terms of security – after the drone attack in Akrotiri – and in the economy, with the cost of living soaring to unprecedented levels. While people pay exorbitantly (those who can anyway) just to cover basic needs, wealth continues to accumulate in the hands of fewer and fewer oligarchs and their local overseers.

A recent example seen in Cyprus, is the strike held by Wolt delivery workers. Wolt, a major multinational with an annual turnover of €19 billion, pays crumbs to those who work for it, employing them only through intermediaries who keep a large share of their earnings. Unlike the strike in 2022, this time it ended due to violence and intimidation campaigns by these agents and their enforcers.

It is becoming clearer every day that inequality, economic crises and even wars are integral parts of capitalism. We do not want to “fix” this broken system, we want to change it, to build a better and fairer world. A world where every sector of the economy serves society’s needs, offering dignity, peace and security for everyone.

That is why, this May Day, we declare: WAR ON THEIR PROFITS – PEACE FOR THE PEOPLE. And to achieve this, we must organise – in our neighbourhoods, schools and universities, in our workplaces and culture and sports clubs. In collectives and trade unions. By working and organising, with planning and determination – to turn the tables so that workers have their day!

We are participating in the mobilisation for International Workers’ Day:

Eleftheria Square, 17:00, followed by a march to Ledra Palace for the intercommunal gathering.

Before, we will meet at 14:00 at Yalla for our monthly afoa kunushma – a gathering for old and new members of our community to get to know each other better – and then we will go to the march all together.

afoa community of struggle, May 1st 2026