Asmara — International Workers Day (May Day) was colorfully marked today across the nation under the theme "Steadfastness and Work as ever-Key to All Challenges."

At a gathering here in the capital in which senior government officials, PFDJ officials and a number of invited guests took part, the Head of Research and Documentation at the PFDJ, Mr. Zemhret Yohannes, delivered a speech on behalf of the Front. He pointed out that work is the cornerstone of all civilizations, the driving force for development, and that the workforce is the master of this. Noting the major role Eritrean workers played since the days of the armed struggle up to independence, Mr. Zemhret underscored that the fundamental solution to meet the existing economic challenges rests on exerting all-round endeavors on the basis of self-reliance.

Also speaking on the occasion, the Minister of Labor and Human Welfare, Ms. Askalu Menkerios, indicated that at a time when the nation is stepping up efforts to achieve food security, work is the main factor to realize the set goal. In this respect, she stressed the need for nurturing the country's human resource potentials, coupled with a disciplined and productive workforce, towards achieving high productivity.

The Secretary General of the National Confederation of Eritrean Workers (NCEW), Mr. Tekeste Baire, on his part stated that May Day reminds workers worldwide to reinforce their unity and renew their commitment. Indicating that the prevailing unstable political situation at the international level, especially globalization, is causing unemployment and that the HIV/AIDS epidemic is negatively affecting workers' production, he pointed out that the Eritrean workers are committed to the task of raising production on the basis of steadfastness.

Similarly, the Chairman of the Eritrean Federation of Employers, Mr. Yemane Tesfai, said that this year's International Workers Day is being marked at a time when the world is facing acute economic crisis as a result of food and oil shortages. In this regard, Mr. Yemane noted that as this situation indirectly affects us, we need to work diligently so as to meet the challenge.

It is to be noted that in a statement it issued in connection with May Day observances, the National Confederation of Eritrean Workers underscored the paramount importance of concerted efforts, especially on the part of the workforce, to boost production through renewed commitment and steadfastness.