The Cuban Workers’ Federation (CTC) today presented the details of its programme of activities for International Workers’ Day, which Cuba will celebrate amidst the imperialist policy intended to suffocate the Cuban people and destroy the Revolution.

The announcement of the activities was made by Osnay Miguel Colina Rodríguez, president of the organising commission for the 22nd Congress of the Cuban Workers’ Federation (CTC), who was accompanied by other members of the commission and the secretaries of the National Trade Unions that make up the organisation.

Under the central slogan «The Homeland Defends Itself», and the collateral slogans «For Cuba Together We Create», «For Cuba We Will Overcome», «For Cuba and for Fidel», «For Cuba United and Steadfast» and «For Cuba, Work, Grow and Overcome», the day will pay tribute to the Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz in the year of his centenary and will denounce the tightening of the United States blockade against the island.

Colina Rodríguez explained that in the preceding weeks, processes will continue to be developed in workplaces for collectives to argue how the blockade affects them, as well as debates on labour reorganisation through the formation of brigades to address societal problems.

He also highlighted the presentation of awards to National Vanguard collectives, the prizes awarded by the National Association of Innovators and Rationalisers (ANIR), and the boost to food production in kitchen gardens, plots and organoponic gardens with the participation of volunteers.

He also acknowledged progress in the installation of solar panels to accelerate the change in the energy matrix.

«We are seeking that in popular councils and municipalities, companies and institutions can show the solutions they have found to their own problems and share them with their counterparts in other territories,» he stated.

He further assured that every Saturday and Sunday, voluntary work will continue to be carried out across the country, and defence preparedness activities will be maintained to fulfil the priorities of the 11th Plenum of the Communist Party of Cuba.

For 1 May, four march fronts are being convened in Havana, converging in a final rally at the Anti-Imperialist Tribune from 8:00 a.m.

The mobilisation will begin from 4:00 a.m., although Colina Rodríguez assured that «some work collectives carry out activities from the night before 1 May».

In the capital, the celebration programme is designed to facilitate the mobilisation of participants, and in the rest of the country, the celebration will take place as historically it has, with multiple parades and commemorative events.

The routes in Havana are as follows:

• Front 1: Paseo Street to the Malecón in two groups: from 23rd and Paseo, and from G and Malecón, for the municipalities of Plaza, Playa and La Lisa.

• Front 2: Infanta Street to the Malecón (from Carlos III, corners of Ayestarán and Infanta), for the municipalities of Cerro, Diez de Octubre, Arroyo Naranjo and Boyeros.

• Front 3: From Maceo Park to the Tribune for the municipality of Centro Habana.

• Front 4: Prado and Malecón, for the municipalities of Old Havana, East Havana, Regla, Guanabacoa, San Miguel del Padrón and Cotorro.

The president of the organising commission specified that international participants will gather at the intersection of L and K streets in Vedado, and also stated that all participants will mobilise by their own means.

In that regard, he confirmed that «we are working with our colleagues from traffic control to create conditions for those who wish to arrive using their own means of transport», especially electric motorcycles and bicycles, so that they can be positioned at the rear of the rally.

«This is the celebration of the world proletariat; this is the space for Cuban workers to join. To say that the Cuban people are here and that we have not renounced any of our dreams,» he emphasised.

Colina Rodríguez also highlighted that the celebration will become a space to «honour the Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz in the year of his centenary and denounce the imperialist policy that reinforces the US blockade against Cuba».

For 2 May, the CTC plans to hold an international solidarity event with Cuba, and from that very day, the start of the International Trade Union Work Symposium.

Colina Rodríguez noted the continuation of international demonstrations by solidarity organisations to repudiate Washington’s policy.

«We want to celebrate Workers’ Day as a show of unity, patriotism and commitment,» concluded the leader, who recalled that Fidel Castro Ruz visited the CTC headquarters on more than 60 occasions.

«We can always advance, we can always overcome difficulties,» he concluded.