ANKARA - Turkish labor minister said on Tuesday that government's position remained unchanged concerning its decision not to allow trade unions to stage a rally in Istanbul's biggest square to mark May Day.
"Government's view on the issue is quite clear for the moment and there is no shift in our assessments about the May Day celebrations and about the Taksim square," Faruk Celik told reporters.
Leaders of Turkey's major trade unions met Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan earlier in the day to seek government approval to hold May Day events in Istanbul's Taksim square. The government has said it would not allow the rally and urged trade unions to stage it at other Istanbul spots designated for such events.
Celik said he would hold a joint press conference on the issue with the interior minister on Wednesday.
May Day celebrations at Taksim square have been banned since 1977, when gunmen opened fire on demonstrators, killing 37 people.
(YMB-AY)