Compañero Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, first secretary of the Party Central Committee, and President of the Councils of State and Ministers;
Working men and women;
Distinguished guests:
We are celebrating International Workers Day today, across the entire country, with a popular mobilization in plazas and avenues, marching in compact, colorful blocs, expressing the conviction that workers will always respond with unity and commitment for Cuba, our glorious homeland.
This parade every year becomes a resounding demonstration of our people's support for the updating of the social and economic model we have freely chosen as a sovereign nation, independent, socialist, democratic, prosperous and sustainable.
Just a few days ago, the 7th Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba concluded, coinciding with the 55th anniversary of the proclamation of the socialist character of the Cuban Revolution and the victory at Playa Girón. The agreements reached, of strategic importance for the present and future of the country, have the support of the Federation of Cuban Workers and the trade unions. From the discussion we will now undertake, the contribution of workers will emerge to construct the consensus needed for their improvement and subsequent practical implementation.
Continuing priorities for the trade union movement are the economy's development, the struggle for peace, and ideological resolve, with the active, committed participation of workers - achieving greater efficiency in the generation of wealth to satisfy the people's needs; gradually improving income; raising the quality of our products and services; replacing imports; diversifying export lines; and promoting the creation of production linkages.
We have many reasons to joyfully celebrate the global proletariat's day, commemorating dates that honor us as Cubans and enrich our history and tradition of struggle: the 55th anniversary of the Literacy Campaign and the proclamation of Cuba as an illiteracy free territory; the 60th anniversary of the Granma expeditionaries' landing; along with a much-deserved tribute on the occasion of the 90th birthday of the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, compañero Fidel Castro Ruz.
This May 1 is an day to denounce maneuvers meant to weaken the process of regional integration in Our America, reverse the gains made in social policies, and destabilize leftist and progressive governments in power - a policy primarily directed toward the sister Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and Brazil, which has intensified over the last few months in Bolivia, Ecuador, as well as Nicaragua and El Salvador.
Dear compañeras, dear compañeros:
As a result of a sovereign act and the unbreakable will of our people, under the principal of absolute equality, the leadership of our Party and government agreed to reestablish diplomatic relations with the United States, and move toward normalization of relations, for which it will be necessary to eliminate the blockade and return to us the territory illegally occupied by the Guantánamo Naval Base.
Likewise, Cuba will maintain its irrevocable commitment to its revolutionary, anti-imperialist ideals, and to to its foreign policy committed to just causes, the defense of self-determination of nations, and unconditional support for sister countries.
We salute the presence among us this morning of friends from different trade union organizations, social movements, and solidarity groups, to whom I express, in the name of the Cuban working class, our infinite gratitude for your continual support of our cause. At the same time, we reaffirm our message of solidarity with workers of the world who are victims of brutal repression for demanding their most elementary rights.
To young workers, continuators of the Revolution's work, and to women workers present here in all sectors of society - our recognition and fraternal greeting.
Workers:
The Cuban trade union movement, with the strength of a working class in power, assures you that under any circumstances whatsoever, we will raise the banners of struggle against injustice, inequality, underdevelopment, and discrimination, and for the establishment of a more just and equal international order, which is centered on human beings, the dignity and wellbeing of workers.
Let us march forward united, with unwavering confidence in victory!
Long live our glorious socialist Revolution!
Long live Fidel and Raúl!
