The May Day rally this year aims to bring back focus on issues affecting workers, as the backbone of the nation, amid growing calls for Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's resignation.

Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) secretary-general A Sivarajan said putting the workers' interests first should be a priority in the efforts to save Malaysia.

"What we want to say is, put the workers ahead. That is how we can save Malaysia.

"A lot of people's issues have been sidestepped. People are only focused on (state investment fund) 1MDB and asking Najib to resign," Sivarajan told a press conference at Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall today, together with co-organisers of the May Day rally.

The theme of this year's rally is "Prioritise Workers, Save Malaysia".

Sivarajan noted that the rally would be held at a time when the country is facing mounting political and economic challenges.

"To date, through the poor economy, many companies have closed down (but) the loss of jobs have become a part of the political narrative... Some of the issues highlighted are not related (to workers).

"When we prioritise labourers, only then can we save Malaysia. Even if 1MDB is resolved, doesn't mean it will solve everything because there needs to be a comprehensive political and economical change," he said.

PSM central committee member S Arutchelvan said the organisers had a meeting with Kuala Lumpur police over details of the rally - starting from Maju Junction at 10am and marching to nearby Medan Pasar.

Community leaders representing workers, Orang Asli, farmers, youths, urban poor and others would be delivering their speeches until around noon, he said.

"They (the police) have not given us the green light but just told us the dos and don'ts. We are exercising our rights according to the constitution. We don't think it is necessary to get police permission," he said.

The organisers also remained optimistic about the rally crowd, claiming that any figure between 500 to 1,000 people would signify a good turnout.

To date, the organisers also said that their 17-point May Day Declaration has been endorsed by 74 organisations.

Among others, the resolution highlights a demand for the government to set up a workers retrenchment fund, as well as to review the current minimum wage.