On May Day, Turkey was once again on alert as activists played hide and seek with the police, especially in Istanbul where left-wing militants tried to get to Taksim Square despite having the whole of Istanbul to display their feelings. One group of communists hid in a hotel overlooking Taksim Square and managed to rush to the center to launch their protests. A massive police force supported by armored cars and helicopters fought the group and soon bundled them away.In Istanbul other groups tried in vain to get to Taksim but failed. There were some skirmishes but nothing that was earthshattering.In general the day went on peacefully throughout the country with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan hosting workers at the presidential compound. The president stressed that the activists were simply fishing for trouble to make it a symbol of their struggle against the government to get to Taksim while there were at least six huge rally grounds across Istanbul earmarked for the occasion. He said if they allowed the massive rally groups to converge on Taksim, the city transportation would be crippled. Is this argument convincing as a question mark because, after all, this is a labor holiday and people would respect the workers for one day to do whatever they wished, provided they remain within the laws. However, the president, like all of us, know that there are groups that do not mean well and would hijack the event in Taksim and even try to create a bloodbath just as Turkey heads for elections. It would be hard for any labor organization to control this situation when faced with these massive crowds who can be sabotaged by marginal groups.Instead of rejoicing the special day for workers and honoring the sweat they shed for this country and thus highlight their problems it is sad that we turn May Day into an alarming situation where we wait in anxiety to hear reports of violence.The government has been making a good effort to enhance labor rights and especially concentrate on the mining sector, as Turkey has suffered major coal mine disasters in the past year. We should have concentrated more on these issues today rather than on protests, rallies and Taksim Square.This is a country where bosses continue to exploit their employees despite efforts by the government to try to curb this. The fact that 43 percent of the wage earners are still paid the minimum wage is a clear proof of this.This is the day when we have to concentrate on these issues. Yet, instead our attention is diverted to Taksim Square. What a shame.